ONLY ONE of the 157 drivers who were the first to be breath tested for alcohol consumption on December 13 in Nuku'alofa was found to be over the limit.

A male driver was fined $200 pa'anga after exceeding 150 micrograms alcohol per litre of breath, becoming the first to be fined under a new tough stand on drinking driving in Tonga.

Police Commander Chris Kelley said on December 14 the breath test of drivers for alcohol was held on Vuna Road last night from 8:00pm to 11:30pm.

He said of six drivers that were tested positive for alcohol only one male driver exceeded the breath alcohol of 150 micrograms per litre of breath recording 240 micrograms.

The four other drivers recorded a test below the 150 mark and were let off while one person was arrested and subsequently charged for refusing to take the breath test.

Offence

Under Tonga's new Drink Drive Law aimed at reducing the level of injury and trauma caused by drunk driving, if the alcohol level of a driver exceeded 250 micrograms per litre of breath it is an offence, with a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both. In addition a driver may be disqualified from driving for two years.

An infringement fee of $200 will be issued to drivers who are breath tested to have a level between 150 to 250 micrograms per litre of breath.

Comdr Kelley had advised the public that it does not take a lot of alcohol for a person's breath to exceed 150 micrograms per litre of breath, his advice is "if you are going to drink don't drive".

The law requires all drivers must stop when signaled. It is an offence to refuse to undergo a roadside breath test as well as refusing to accompany a police officer for the purpose of a breath test.

The breath test was initially set to start on December 6, but was delayed due to the late arrival of equipment from Auckland.

The police are continuing to breath test all motorists on Tonga's roads.