Road safety campaign targeting drink driving
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Police will conduct a territory-wide campaign to enhance public awareness of road safety with focus on anti-drink driving from tomorrow (December 16) to January 2, 2009.

Officers from Police Regional Road Safety Teams will invite members of the public to take voluntary breath tests in bar areas. They will also distribute publicity leaflets at cross harbour tunnel counters, petrol stations and car parks to appeal to drivers not to drive after drinking.

Motorists will be reminded that the Road Traffic Legislation (Amendment) Bill 2008 passed in June 2008, which includes the enhancement of penalties for drink driving, will take effect in early 2009.

Police will also enforce the existing legislation to the letter of the law. Any driver with alcohol in his body exceeding the prescribed limit after an Evidential Breath Test will be prosecuted.

Police figures revealed that there were 11 963 traffic accidents in the first ten months of 2008, a decrease of 750 cases when compared with the same period in 2007. Among these cases, 65 involved drink driving, a decrease of 24 cases when compared with the same period last year. Statistics from 2003 to 2007 indicated that one in every four traffic accidents involving drink driving caused either fatalities or serious injuries.

"Motorists are reminded not to drive after consuming alcohol. Offenders will be liable to a maximum fine of $25,000, three years' imprisonment and 10 driving-offence points; or possible disqualification from driving. Also, they may not receive compensation from insurance companies when convicted of drink driving offences," a Police spokesman said.

Police Report No. 6
Issued by PPRB

Ends/Monday, December 15, 2008
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