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to public safety. Drivers need to take heed of the importance<br />
of monitoring their alcohol consumption or even better,<br />
designating a driver or calling a friend or a taxi if they have<br />
consumed too much alcohol.<br />
DUI Task Force - “Over the Limit Under Arrest”<br />
One of the successful strategies of the Trinidad and Tobago<br />
Police Service to reduce the risk of alcohol impaired driving on<br />
the roadways was the operationalization of a DUI Task Force,<br />
out of the Traffic and Highway Patrol Branch. The unit<br />
comprises 30 specially trained officers who are certified Breath<br />
Alcohol Technicians who are deployed especially on weekends.<br />
The DUI Task Force has also gained the respect of the Magistracy<br />
with many officers of the court issuing commendations to<br />
officers for their persistence and professionalism, especially in<br />
the area of court attendance.<br />
DUI Arrests Skyrocket<br />
In 2015, over 2,700 drivers were arrested and charged for DUI<br />
offences by the <strong>TTPS</strong> increasing the total number of DUI arrests<br />
by an impressive 275% over 2014 (731). The Traffic and Highway<br />
Patrol Branch DUI Task Force accounted for over 40% (1163) of<br />
the national DUI arrest figures.<br />
Voluntary Breath Testing Initiative<br />
3500<br />
2500<br />
2000<br />
1500<br />
1000<br />
500<br />
0<br />
2011-2015 DU I ARRESTS<br />
2744<br />
761 706 706 731<br />
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015<br />
2011<br />
2012<br />
2013<br />
2014<br />
2015<br />
In 2015, one of the innovative strategies employed by the <strong>TTPS</strong><br />
to help reduce the risk of alcohol impaired driving on the roads<br />
was to set up Voluntary Breath Testing (VBT) stations at popular<br />
parties, fetes and clubs where patrons were invited to take a<br />
breath test before departing the event or venue. The goal was to<br />
afford patrons the opportunity to check their breath alcohol<br />
levels before heading to their vehicle to ensure they were within<br />
the legal limit of 35 microgrammes and if found over, then<br />
officers would have strongly recommended that they stay at the<br />
venue until their levels subsided to below the legal limit or call a<br />
friend or taxi.<br />
Deputy Mayor of San Fernando Councillor, Junia Regrello,<br />
goes through a breath alcohol test at an iRoadsafe event, at Harris Promenade,<br />
San Fernando.<br />
35
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