Random alcohol breath testing introduced in Solomon Islands

Transcript

Drivers in the Solomon Islands will now face massive fines if caught drink driving under new traffic legislation which came into force last week.

Police are hoping the new law, which also gives them powers to carry out random breath tests, will help reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and deaths in the country.

Under the new laws first time offenders found with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent or above will face a $US1,284 fine, while second time offenders will be fined $US2,567.

In both cases offenders will have their licence disqualified and could also face 12 months imprisonment.

The Director of the National Traffic Unit, Paul Bulu, says he believes the severe penalties will be an effective deterrent

Paul Bulu spoke with Koroi Hawkins who began by asking him how they have been collecting evidence without breathalyzers.

PAUL BULU: Prior to this new legislation we based our judgement on observations like when we see a driver his eyes are red, he can't walk properly, he is talkative and his breath heavily smells of alcohol and that is basically on observation.

KOROI HAWKINS: This will provide a much stronger evidence base?

PB: Certainly, certainly yes.

KH:  And in terms of the implementation, I understand it came into force on the first of June. Are you already rolling out the traffic stops? How are you going to implement the laws?

PB: At the moment we are still waiting for some of our formalities to be endorsed before rolling out the program proper. But I am hoping or I am looking forward to not very long. It could be the next week or the week after.

KH: The penalties, do you think the average Solomon Islander will be able to pay this or do you think they will just be serving the time, the 12 months under the laws?

PB: Well looking at the penalties itself, it is a deterring consequences I would say. Because all we want to say is that we want to deter the level of drink driving in our country to reduce to a certain level that we want to see it happen here in the country.

KH: Will this be rolled out just in the capital Honiara initially or is that going to be across the whole of the country.

PB: We have done a Honiara based and I am anticipating that by the end of this year it will be rolled out into the other nine provinces. So generally I would like to see that all RSIPF sworn members should undergo this or undertake this training by 31st December 2016.

KH: How significant is this law to making the roads safer in Solomon Islands?

PB: Well the key message here is that we are trying to reduce the behaviour of the drivers. That when you are thinking of driving don't drink, if you are thinking of drinking don't drive. Because random breath-testing can happen anywhere, any place at anytime. And if you are driving and drinking you will be caught.