The National Institute of Traffic and Land Transportation (Intrant), and the General Directorate of Traffic and Land Transportation Safety (Digesett), will once again implement the use of breathalyzers, to regulate that drivers do not travel while intoxicated on the roads.
The director of Intrant, Milton Morrison, reported that it will not involve an investment by the Dominican State.
“The breathalyzers that are going to be used have time in the DIGESETT “They are devices, devices that had already been donated by the private sector, the Association of Alcoholic Beverage Importing Companies, it is not a new purchase that has been made,” he assured.
He also indicated that specialists were brought in to calibrate the equipment and together with the Digesett, which is the operational arm, put it into operation. operationMorrison said.
Morrison indicated that the implementation of breathalyzers seeks to prevent traffic accidents, in order to save lives.
It is recalled that the activation of the breathalyzer check pilot is scheduled for next Friday, October 25, from 9:00 at night to 4:00 in the morning, in the National District.
The reestablishment of this operation is part of a strategic public-private alliance together with the alcoholic beverage industries and the International Alliance for Responsible Consumption (IARD), as well as the collaboration with the Dominican Institute for Quality (Indocal), which will have at its I charge the calibration of the equipment, so that it is kept in optimal conditions.
Currently, the country has eight evidential breathalyzers and 32 screening breathalyzers, donated by the International Alliance for Responsible Drinking (IARD), and the regional and local alcoholic beverage industry, which were scheduled to begin to be applied in 2018.
This project was stopped in 2020, due to the situation of the COVID-19, at a global level, as a health measure due to the implications of the process.
About the protocol for breathalyzer checkpoints
Dominican legislation allows random breathalyzer tests to be carried out on drivers or pedestrians, on a preventive basis, whether circumstantial or as part of operations on people who are in public places and who intend to drive a motor vehicle.
“When the breathalyzer test is positive, the Digesett agent may keep the driver under surveillance for up to four (4) hours. However, the driver may leave immediately if a family member or relative appears who is responsible for taking him to his destination,” as established in article 259 of Law 63-17.