LTO procures breathalyzers to monitor drunk drivers
George Ancajas of dyDD Bantay Radyo blows through the mouthpiece of a breath alcohol testing device used by LTO operations officer Joel Maloloy-on.
(CDN Photo/Junjie Mendoza)
Motorists and public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Metro Cebu will have to watch what they drink or how much they drink from now on.
This after the Land Transportation Office (LTO-7) procured Breathalyzers that can determine a person’s blood alcohol concentration level through his or her breath.
In yesterday’s 888 News Forum held at Marco Polo Hotel, Regional LTO-7 Director Arnel Tancinco and LTO-7 Operations Chief Joel Maloloy-on introduced to the media the black rectangular-shaped devices with a detachable mouthpiece.
“These equipment (Breathalyzers) will also help us in fully implementing the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act which starts before the month ends,” Tancinco said.
George Ancajas of Bantay Radio volunteered to be the test subject and drank a small amount of liquor.
Sobriety
He breathed on the mouthpiece for six seconds and after a few minutes the device’s screen showed that Ancajas had 0.898 percent alcohol level in his bloodstream.
“Information will be saved and will be printed which will be used as evidence in reporting at police station,” Maloloy-on said.
He said PUV drivers and motorcycle riders will be penalized once they exceed the 0.00 percent alcohol level while private drivers should not exceed the 0.05 percent alcohol level.
Tancinco said LTO traffic enforcers should have probable cause to require a driver to undergo a Breathalyzer test.
He said a motorist would first undergo field sobriety tests if he or she is shown to be overspeeding, making sudden stops, swerving and weaving in and out of the lanes.
These sobriety tests include eye movement as guided by a lighted pen, taking nine steps forward and nine steps backward and a 30-second one-leg stand test. If found to be drunk violators face a three-month sentence and a P20,000 to P80,000 fine.
If there are physical injuries, the penalty is raised to P100,000 to P200,000.
If there’s homicide involved, the penalty goes up to P300,000 to P500,000. Motorists suspected to be taking drugs need to submit a urine sample.
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