Changes to the Road and Traffic Act to allow police to have more authority over drivers they suspect of being drunk will soon be implemented.
In January 2002, amendments to the Act were passed in the House of Assembly giving traffic police the right to take breath tests and collect urine or blood samples.
Since then, the Royal Bahamas Poloce Force (RBDF) informed Transport Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin that the new amendments were inadequate, because they were not able to enforce the legislation.
The RBDF wants drivers to be compelled to take a breath test, or have a blood or urine test at least an hour after being stoped by police.
Also, they want to be able to presume a person guilty who refuses to comply, meaning they could immediately be arrested and subsequently taken to court.
Source: Felicity Ingraham, The Tribune
