Ascension : ST HELENA POLICE ASCENSION DETACHMENT
Submitted by The Islander (Police Ascension) 27.10.2011 (Article Archived on 10.11.2011)

Once again the festive season is almost upon us and each year it is customary for the Ascension Island Police to carry out a DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN.

ST HELENA POLICE

ASCENSION DETACHMENT

Once again the festive season is almost upon us and each year it is customary for the Ascension Island Police to carry out a DRINK DRIVE CAMPAIGN.  The campaign generally consists of visits to various organizations on Ascension Island giving a presentation on Laws and procedures relating to alcohol and driving, speeding and seat belts.  Posters will also be displayed around the island and throughout the campaign speed checks will be carried out at various locations.

What we must remember is that these Laws don’t only apply during the festive season but all year round.

Here are some frequently asked questions concerning Drink Driving:

What’s the law on drink driving?

On Ascension Island the alcohol limit for drivers is 35mgs per 100mls of breath, 80mgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood, or 107mgs per 100mls of urine. 

How much can I drink and stay under the limit?

There is no foolproof way of drinking and staying under the limit. The amount of alcohol you would need to drink to be considered ‘over the prescribed limit’ varies from person to person. It depends on:

• Your weight
• Your gender (men tend to process alcohol faster than women)
• Your metabolism
• Your current stress levels
•  Whether you’ve eaten recently
• Age (younger people tend to process alcohol more slowly)

Even small amounts of alcohol can affect your ability to drive so the only safe advice is to avoid any alcohol if you are driving.

How would I be tested for drink driving?

If the police want to investigate whether you are over the drink driving limit, they will carry out a screening breath test at the roadside.

(In some cases when a screening device is not available you will be required to accompany the police officer to the police station where a device is available.) 

If you fail the screening test, or if the police have other grounds for believing you were driving whilst impaired through drink, you may be asked to accompany the Officer to the Police Station or you could be arrested and taken to a police station.

At the station you will be required to provide two breath specimens into an evidential breath testing instrument.

The lower of the two readings will be used to decide whether you are above the drink driving limit.

If your evidential samples show that you are over the limit, you will be charged.

The police can carry out a breathalyzer test if you have committed a moving traffic offence, or been involved in an accident, or have given the police grounds to believe you are over the prescribed limit.

The police are allowed to stop any vehicle at their discretion.

What’s the punishment if I get caught drink driving?

Anyone caught drink driving and convicted by a court will find these sentences can be imposed on you, a disqualification from holding a drivers license, a hefty fine or Imprisonment. 

Imprisonment, the period of disqualification and size of fine depend on the seriousness of the offence.

I hope you found this information useful.

Please remember to drink responsibly and know your limit. If you intend to drink excessively or have drank excessively don’t take the risk and drive.  Remember it’s not just your life at risk it is everyone else’s as well.

DRINK OR DRIVE

YOU DECIDE

Keep Safe

PC Nicky Wade