The Land Transport Authority in Samoa says new legislation giving police officers the right to use breathalyzer devices will cut the number of deaths caused by drink driving.
The legislation, endorsed in parliament on Wednesday, will authorise traffic officers to test drivers suspected of being under the influence and to prosecuting people who refuse to be tested.
The Manager of Road Use Management in the Land Transport Authority, Tusa Misi Tupuola says the endorsement of breath testing will change people's attitudes and prompt some to quit drink driving.
He says drink driving is one of the main factors that cause road accidents and deaths in the country.
"So we are happy with the legislation and since the police are in charge of the enforcing of that legislation, we will work together with them in trying to make sure that this legislation would become a very effective mechanism towards our road safety programmes."
Tusa Misi Tupuola says he hopes the new legislation will slash the number of fatalities caused by drink driving accidents.
