Mandalay introduces drunk driving roadblocks
Published on Tuesday, 10 September 2013 21:44
Drivers in Mandalay are being stopped and tested blood-alcohol content on September 8. (Photo-EMG)
Drivers in Mandalay are being stopped and tested for blood-alcohol content, according to local traffic police.
In order to address careless or drunk driving of cars and motorbikes, police began the roadblocks in August.
"When we first began checking drivers at 7 pm, we found no signs of drunk driving. So we changed the tests to 9 pm—which is when most people leave the pub. Only then could we find drunk drivers and take action against them," said captain Moe Nyunt Tun of the traffic police.
Moe Nyunt said police have only arrested two severely drunk men since the road tests began. Police will not take action in cases involving low blood-alcohol content, but they urged members of the public to cooperate when stopped. At some roadblocks, drivers have fled the police, thinking they were being arrested for not abiding traffic laws.
"We have tried to stop some people who are not in the habit of wearing helmets at night. When we signal for them to stop, they speed away. Therefore, we have to gather in large numbers and tell drivers that we are only testing for drunk driving and that no arrest will be made. Otherwise, accidents may occur," he added.
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