CARIBARENA Antigua

This is a very sad situation my condolences goes out to the deceased family, and I pray for a speedy recovery for those whom are hospitalized with injuries. On the othe hand this incident along with past accidents where Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol or Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) by Alcohol or illegal narcotics should raise awareness among the citizens of Antigua & Barbuda especially its young citizens between the ages of 18- 35 years, of the danger and perils of DWI. It should also become a cause for alarm and the primary focus of our Legislators and members of the upper & lower houses of parliament to amend the law of A&B for it to be a criminal, severely and harsh punishable offense to be DUI or DWI.

It is also too long in waiting for the laws of A&B to be amended or a bill put forth to parliament that requires a requiste age for alcohol purchase and consumption. Without such laws A&B will continue to experience vehicle accidents fatalities of its young people due to DUI and DWI. Having said all that the hand of the members of the Police Force of A&B will remain forever tied, and their investigation, arresting, and prosecution of drivers involve in vehicular accidents and fatalities due to DUI and DWI will remain limited and wanting.

It is of one's opinion and views that the enactment and enforcement of legislation and laws to curb Drivng Under the Influence (DUI) of Alcohol and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) by alcohol or illegal narcotics are hindered by the sentiments and vices of the Legislators, members of both the upper & lower houses of parliament, and of the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda (RPF of A&B ), for these same legislators that a mandated by the vote of the citizens of A&B to govern by law, to safeguard the social welfare of the citizens, and to protect the lives and serve the citizens of A&B, are also from time to time do also put the lives of the citizens of A&B in jeopardy by their guilt and acts of DUI and DWI. So how can they send the goose to be slaughtered and leave the gander?

Thanks Mr. Pompey always on the ball.

Based on the statements by Mr. Pompey, its time for the member of parliament to do their job and pa*s the proper law. I myself have personal experience of being injured (minor) by someone who was driving while drunk. The smell of alcohol could not be missed and the vehicle was driving on the wrong side of the road. The driver could not speak clearly, it was obvious he was drunk. The driver as I recall was never charged. At least his insurance company paid compensation for the damage done to my car.

The emphasis is not on the dead or injured. It is about relevant evidence and prosecution of a driver in a state that is potentialiy dangerous to the public whether on or off the road. Vehicles invariably veered off the roadway and ended up in people's home, Most drivers are not necessarily under the influence of drink or drug, but gross recklessness. Very often they escaped death while other occupants perished.

Only a blood test would apply in this case to determine alcohol levels, since everyone was either dead or severely injured.

The vehicles and Road Traffic Act provides for the offence "...Driving under the influence" (drink/drug). The Act does not provide legal instrumentality to determine alcohol levels in the blood stream. There had been successful prosecutions for this offence based on visual observations by the officer. This was what had to be observed; suspect's gait-unsteady standing/walking, incoherrent speech, unruly, strong alcholic scent from breath. Otherwise fraught with difficulties. Why? Suspected driver must volunteer submission to medical examination as he cannot be forced to do so. This in keeping with the maxim that "...no one is obliged to provide evidence to incriminate himself." Then an officer cannot give evidence that he "...cautioned" a suspect who is supposedly drunk. He may be arrested on suspicion for his and public safety.You are aware that a person under the influence usually say and/or do things that if he was not, would repond in a normal, responsible or civil manner. Use of breathalizers would require legislative initiative.

Here in the US we also have them walk a straight line heel to two, if they fail they are intoxicated. DWI need harsh punishment including suspension of license and heavy fines. It is bad enough violating traffic laws and more deadly doing so under the influence of alcohol.

Thank you Patrick Mattew. Well done. May God continue to bless you in your doings and givings. Waiting to see those equipment been handed over to the Traffic Department. Time enough for us to stop looking to government for everything and start helping ourselves. When drivers know these equipment are out there they will think twice about how much they drink. Its a start in taking back our streets. By the way I need Mr. Pompey to comment on the legal aspect of the use of these equipment. Also what does the law say about drinking age and drinking and driving.

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I would also like to express my sympathy to the family of the victim. I am surprise that based upon all the drinking and driving that goes on in Antigua, that the police did see the necessity or urgency to have a breathalyzer in the department. Alternatively, the driver should have been taken to the hospital to give a blood sample. Additionally, the police could have given a few physical tests, if the driver was capable, to determine is alcohol was suspected.

Investments should be made in the basics, before we we become delusional with the grandiose.

tenman, u are so spot on it is not funny.
now hear this: a professional breathalyzer will cost from $99 us for a low end model to 1500 us for a full unit with build in printer.
source : www.bestbreathalyzer.com/Profe...zer_c5.htm

so the cost is not the issue.
with proper fines in place for drunk driving these units will pay for them self's in one day.
the question is what does the law say and what do we need to fix to make this law simple and clear.
Driving drunk is i my opinion premeditated murder waiting to happen.

enough talk i will personally donate 3 professional units to the police if they will actually use them to curb drunk driving
i will order on Friday so if anyone wants to follow let it be know here so we can order as many as we can and give them to the police.

stop complaining and start acting is my motto and don't wait for a government to act ( we don't live that long)

Let me start by saying condolences to the victim and her family and friends. What is the purpose of the headline? The story yesterday already noted why the driver was driving. A better headline should have been why do police not have breathalyzer (will leave the stun gun question for the next time they decide to shoot someone in order to stop them)? Perhaps the writer could have even given us an idea of how much such technology would cost and compare it to lets say the cost of covering a gutter in Saint John's or some of the other none value creating things we do in this country.