Tonga Police have released shocking drink driving figures, which show that 10% of the 504 drivers stopped by Police over the weekend were tested to have been under the influence of alcohol.

“We urge the public to think of Drink Driving as a killer disease and refrain from committing it,” Police Commissioner Shane McLennan said today in releasing the figures.

Tonga Police called for community approach to the problem that was evident.

“Since re-introducing our alcohol breathalysers over the weekend, 10 percent of the total 504 drivers stopped and tested were under the influence of alcohol. It is a major concern, as all road users’ lives are at risk, and we are calling for a community approach to address the issue.

“It is time for everyone to realize that road safety is everyone’s responsibility, and we need to support one another to solve this issue and save more lives,” he said.

Sober driver

He urged people who go out drinking, to arrange for a cab or a sober driver.

“If you are sober, please make sure to pick up family members and friends who are out drinking. It is always better to get a call at 3:00 am from families and friends for pick up from a late-night drink than to get a call at 3:00 am from the morgue."

If you decide to drink alcohol, also decide not to drive, he said.

“You are saving yourself, your passengers as well as other road users by doing so. It certainly costs nothing to be responsible this way but if you were to cripple someone from serious injuries or worse, cause loss of life due to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, you would have to live with that burden for life,” he said.

There have been three road fatalities in Tonga, so far this year, with two on Tongatapu and one in Vava'u.