Tonga Police Continue its Focus on Drink Driving Cases as Road Users’ Lives Matter, Particularly the Passengers

12 June 2023

As Tonga Police calls for public assistance as Drink Driving accelerates, we continue to enforce our focus on the issue as road users’ lives matter, particularly to passengers. From Thursday 8 – Saturday 10 June 2023, 95 people of the total 705 drivers stopped and tested were under the influence of alcohol. We were more concerned about the number of passengers these 95 people have. Only four didn’t have any, as the rest had two to four passengers on average. It is a concern, as they are all at risk and we are calling for passengers and drivers to refocus their attention on the issue as every road user’s lives are also at risk.

We urge the public, particularly passengers of drunk drivers to refrain from encouraging their friends or family member to continue driving while out partying and drinking. If your driver is drinking, you can help by encouraging yourselves to catch a taxi or call a sober family/friend for pick up.

“Let me remind you that you are not that friend or a family member to receive a late-night call from the morgue but be that friend/family member who picks up members from a late-night drink because death to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is one test you can’t afford to fail,” says Police Commissioner Shane McLennan.

Drivers are reminded that they are committing an offense if their breath screening tests are equivalent to or more than 250 micrograms of alcohol per litre of breath. It is also important to note that refusing to take either of the Screening Breath Test or the Evidential Breath Test is an offence, where one shall be liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $10,000, or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 3 years, or to both, and the Court may order that the convicted person be disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence for a period not exceeding 3 years.

ENDS

For further media inquiries please contact, Tonga Police Media & Public Relations Office on 740-1609