MANILA, Philippines - In a bid to curb road accidents brought about by drunken driving in Metro Manila, the National Capital Regional Police Office is set to procure at least 10,000 pieces of breath analyzers and send to jail erring drivers.
NCRPO director Chief Superintendent Roberto Rosales said at least 10 of the breath analyzer samples would be forwarded to the Department of Health today for testing. “Once the DOH gives us the go-signal for the use of such gadget, we would purchase some 10,000 pieces for $5,000,” said Rosales.
“The police is serious in its campaign to rid the streets of drunk drivers and make the riding public, motorists and pedestrians safe,” he added.
The NCRPOs purchase of breath analyzers was arrived at after Rosales and other stakeholders noted the increasing incidents of driving under the influence in Metro Manila’s thoroughfares resulting to deaths and injuries.
According to Rosales, the breath analyzers would help them in their investigation and evidentiary gathering against drunk drivers. “With the breath analyzers, we can have an airtight case against drunken drivers and send them to jail for good,” he said. “It can determine on the spot whether the driver has taken intoxicating liquor.”
The NCRPO director admitted that the country has an “obsolete” law against drunken driving. He directed his five police district directors to strictly enforce the anti-drunken driving law by apprehending erring drivers.
As a message to the drivers, Rosales said they can drink all liquors they like “but you must not drive.”