Cops: No bligh for drunk drivers during Easter weekend

While drivers caught breaking the law may often ask for a bligh or pardon from the police, Snr Supt Clint Arthur of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch says no excuses will be accepted from law-breakers this Easter weekend.

Arthur said the police would be particularly vigilant in rooting out drunk drivers.

Speaking at the weekly police media briefing at Sackville Street, Port of Spain, on Thursday afternoon, Arthur said there was a noticeable increase in the number of people arrested and charged for drunk driving for the year so far, compared to the same period last year.

He reported that, so far, 108 people were arrested and charged for the offence compared to just three for the same period last year.

Arthur said while the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch will maintain a visible presence for the weekend, drivers also had a responsibility to ensure their safety and that of their passengers.

"I have given instructions to my officers, come this weekend, to have a zero-tolerance approach regarding the whole matter of drinking and driving.

"We have seen within recent times where quite a number of people are indulging in this, and they are risking their lives and the lives of others.

"We have a no-nonsense approach going forward with regards to this matter of drinking and driving.

"We are asking people: if you have to drink, please do not drive. And if you have to drive, please do not drink.

Arthur said that police recognised that people might wish to drink alcohol while at gatherings but strongly suggested that a designated drivers, RideShare or other taxi services be used.

Arthur added that 22 people had died in road traffic accidents for the year so far compared to 28 for the same period last year.

Noting the slight decrease, he said the death toll was still unacceptable and implored the public to act responsibly.

Police road safety co-ordinator Sgt Brent Batson also attended the media briefing and said passengers should also take steps to ensure their safety by contacting the police in situations where they felt their driver was too intoxicated to drive.

"We have multiple patrols out. And I'm not just talking about the highways, but within the divisions as well.

"They (the police) will intercept that vehicle if the person continues to drive.

"We encourage the passenger: if you think your driver is impaired to the point where they are endangering you and the other people in the vehicle, call the police and we will respond."

Batson said, for the year so far, drivers and passengers were most commonly guilty of not wearing seatbelts, the breaching of traffic signs and speeding respectively.

"We focus on the most high-speed roads in the country where there are 100 kilometres per hour speed limits. So we don't have the leeway to give much of a bligh to motorists out there.

"We will be out there to try and detect these offences but we are asking people to be responsible in their road use."

Batson also called on maxi-taxi and bus drivers to obey the rules of the highway by not drinking and not allowing their vehicles to be overloaded with passengers.

For the year so far, the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch has seized four guns and 94 rounds of ammunition on the highways.

They have also issued 2,532 speeding tickets.