Officer calls for breathalysers

 By ABIGAIL APINA

BREATHALYSER machines should be introduced to the country to curb drink and drive cases, a senior police officer says.

East New Britain provincial police commander Anthony Wagambie, pictured, suggests that would serve as a deterrent for drivers who had a habit of getting behind the wheels after drinking alcohol.

Superintendent Wagambie was commenting on three road accidents in the province last weekend, allof which were alcohol-related. 

Five people are in hospital from the accidents.

Wagambie said breathalyser tests were effectively used in many countries including neighbours Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. 

Drivers are tested on the spot and arrested immediately if their alcohol level is over the legal limit. 

Papua New Guinea still lacks the appropriate legislation to enforce such tests.

He said a driver who was heavily intoxicated was driving at speed on the highway from Kokopo to Rabaul at 4.30am Saturday when his vehicle overturned. 

He said the vehicle was owned by a local security firm and being driven by the owner’s son.

The driver was admitted at the Vunapope hospital, while his sister, who was one of two passengers on board, was admitted at the Nonga Base General Hospital. 

The second accident occurred on Saturday in Kokopo town, outside Vunamami, on the Kokopo Freeway and involved a PMV truck that was trying to overtake and ran into a parked vehicle. 

Wagambie said police found out that the PMV driver was under the influence of alcoholand there had been more alcohol in the truck.

The driver and a passenger were admitted at Vunapope Hospital. 

The third accident was on Sunday on the Kokopo-Rabaul road and involved a 15-seater bus that was travelling at speed. 

The driver lost control of the vehicle, which ended up on its side. It was extensively damaged.

Wagambie said police found beer in the vehicle. 

The driver was accompanied by a man and a woman, who were admitted at the Nonga Base General Hospital.