Drivers in the Solomon Islands will now face massive fines if they are caught drink driving under new laws which came into force last week.
Solomon Islands Police officer about to administer a passive alcohol breath test. Photo: Supplied
Police are hoping the law, which also allows them to carry out random breath tests, will help reduce alcohol-related traffic accidents and deaths in the country.
Now, first-time offenders with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent or above will face a US$1284 fine, while second time offenders will be fined US$2567.
In both cases offenders will have their licence suspended and they could also face 12 months' imprisonment.
The Director of the National Traffic Unit, Paul Bulu, said he believed the penalties would be an effective deterrent.
"The message there is very clear, when you are thinking of driving don't drink, if you are thinking of drinking don't drive. Random breath testing can happen anywhere, anyplace, at anytime and if you are driving and drinking will be caught."
Paul Bulu said random breath testing would begin in Honiara in the next few weeks, before being rolled out to the provinces by the end of the year.
