Drivers respond well to breath tests [1]
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 - 23:12. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
TONGA'S drivers have responded well to breath testing with less than one per cent of tests detecting positive alcohol during the first two months of testing.
Tonga's new breath testing legislation that has been enforced since December 2010 resulted in a low number of drivers charged in comparison to the high number of drivers tested for alcohol.
Deputy Police Commander Taniela Faletau said on March 1 that since the new law was introduced, the detection rate was 0.76 percent "and not even one percent, which is very positive for the new act."
In December police tested up to 4,568 drivers and only 76 drivers tested positive to alcohol.
Seventeen drivers recorded over the limit of 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre and would face prosecution; while seven were between 150 to 250 micrograms per litre of breath and would be fined.
Drivers that recorded under 150 micrograms were not charged and let off.
In January this year police had tested 558 drivers and only seven of them were over the limit of 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath, while eight drivers were between 150 to 250 micrograms of alcohol and 20 were below 150 and were let off.
Breath testing and traffic enforcement would continue throughout March with particular target areas, said the Deputy Police Commander.
Crime
There was a decrease in the number of crimes registered between the February 21-27, with 74 crimes compared to 101 in the previous week.
Out of these 74 crimes reported there were 33 offences registered at Nukualofa Police Station, 23 at Pangai Haapai, 7 at Neiafu Vavau, 6 at Nukunuku, 3 at Mua and 2 at Vaini Stations.
Assault is the most prevalent reported crime with 17 offences, followed by 14 thefts, 11 housebreaks, 3 trespasses and 2 each grievous bodily harm and false pretences.