Gyasi Gonzales ggonzales@trinidadexpress.com

-Photo: CURTIS CHASE

FROM today the infamous phrase, ’one for the road,’ goes bye-bye.

The breathalysers have been unpacked, the batteries installed and police officers have been trained to use the devices.

President George Maxwell Richards is scheduled to proclaim the long awaited legislation today in what many believe would put drivers in gear and avoid so many accidents along the nation’s roads.

If drivers resist the cultural change, they can now land their sorry soul in front of a magistrate and face the possibility of a maximum fine of $8,000 or three years in jail, for a first conviction.

For a second offence the fine goes to $15,000 or imprisonment for five years and on the third strike a driver will be disbarred from ever again holding a driver’s permit.

After years of wrangling and constant pressure from groups such as Arrive Alive for the Government to deal with drunk drivers, the breathalyser bill comes into effect from today.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Mobile) Wayne Richards, in an interview with the Express, warned motorists: ’If you are going to be drinking don’t drive!’

’But if you have to drink make sure you designate a driver because we are going to be out there with our breathalyser devices and if you are found over the limit you will be prosecuted for driving under the influence of alcohol,’ he said.

Motorists who fail the field test will be taken to the nearest police station to perform a second test which will measure their blood alcohol level. This recording will be used to help the police prosecute their case.

Richards said, in the field, ’It will be up to the officers to treat with the matter accordingly as the law says and it will be up to the officer to charge you or not to charge you. It will be in his/her discretion.’

’No-one wants to have to pay $8,000 or find themselves facing imprisonment or having their driver’s permit suspended,’ said Richards, noting that, ’We don’t want to have to prosecute people for these offences but the fact is that numerous persons have died on our roads as a result of people driving under the influence.’ (Trinidad Express)