Detection of drunk drivers by the traffic police will get a boost this week when new breathalyzer machines are distributed to traffic police divisions across the island on March 30. According to the Police, 50 new machines will be distributed on the day.
DIG, Traffic Administration and Road Safety, Palitha Fernando told the Sunday Observer that violators will not be able to challenge drunk driving detections done by the Police using the new equipment due to its modern technology.
“Violators can see proof of the violation with results being issued in a matter of seconds in printed form” he said, adding that, therefore, motorists will find it almost impossible to dispute the results.
The new hand held breathalyzer machines are expected to provide the Police with undisputable evidence due to the high accuracy of the new equipment. In the recent past several convictions of drunk driving were overturned when disputed by drivers due to accuracy issues.
According to the Police, the new equipment will consist of an inbuilt printer which will dispense the result, gps, photo capture facilities and other updated functions.
The Traffic Police are currently in the process of acquiring various new equipment to modernize as well as upgrade its infrastructure to better enforce road and motor traffic laws in the country.