NTSA continues with crackdown despite court ruling

Hours after the breathalyzer was pronounced illegal by the Court of Appeal, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) was back on the roads wielding the alcoblow gadget.

Scores of drunk motorists were arrested in Friday night’s operation as the authority swung with full force as always to cast a dragnet over the various city’s roads.

It now remains to be seen how the authority will prosecute those found to have been driving while under the influence of alcohol until the time when Parliament puts in place a legislation that will align the breathalyzer rules to the Traffic Act.

While the number of road accidents attributed to drunk driving may not have dropped drastically, the Authority believes they have really reduced.

In cases where fatalities occur, families either lose breadwinners or children whose dreams are buried with them.

In the event of a paralysis, the burden of medical bills drive families into absolute poverty as hospitals struggle to accommodate and treat more patients.

Bora Guyo, NTSA Operations Manager, says NTSA will continue with its crackdown on drunk drivers to save lives despite the court ruling.

The Appellate Court ruled laws governing use of Breathylzer, popularly known as Alcoblow, were badly drafted and inconsistent with Traffic Act, urging MPs to redraft it.