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Police have conducted a territory-wide anti-drink driving operation from July 23 to 27 and arrested ten drivers for drink-driving related offences.
During the five-day operation, a total of 1,776 drivers were required to conduct random breath tests (RBT). Among them, ten failed the screening breath tests and were arrested. Eight of them were subsequently found to have failed the evidential breath tests and would be charged with the relevant offences.
A Police spokesman said since the Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 has come into effect on February 9, 2009, police officers are empowered to conduct RBT on drivers.
Since the introduction of the new legislation on February 9, 2009 till July 27, the Police had breath tested 85,044 drivers in various RBT operations. Among them, 461 of them were either found to have proportions of alcohol exceeded the prescribed limit or refused to be tested. Up to now, 382 drivers have been charged with the relevant offences.
Motorists are reminded not to drive after consuming alcohol. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000, three years' imprisonment and to incur 10 driving-offence points. They will also be disqualified from driving for not less than three months on first conviction and not less than two years on second conviction. Drivers with a drink driving conviction are required to attend a Driving Improving Course before they can get back their driving licenses. Drivers may not be insured if they are convicted of drink driving offences.
Police Report No. 2
Issued by PPRB
Ends/Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Issued at HKT 22:02
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