Fix legal system to deal with drunk driving: Warner

Chaguanas MP Jack Warner on Sunday called for a restructuring of the court system to complement the new breathalyzer law that takes effect Monday.

The law allows on-the-spot testing of anyone suspected of being drunk while driving and carries heft fines and/or jail terms.

In a media statement Warner said in isolation the law will not effectively curb road carnage. He said while the legislation is clear, it would remain ineffective in addressing the problem without proper policing and enforcement.

"Laws do not arrest, prosecute and rehabilitate," he said, noting that "the anti-litter law has not prevented the indiscriminate dumping nor have seat belt laws promoted its use."

He said laws can only effectively serve their purpose through rigid and timely enforcement.

"In Trinidad and Tobago there exists a multiplicity of laws to deal with road traffic offences, but we fall terribly short on enforcement and prosecution," Warner said.

The MP added that the breathalyzer legislation would open a floodgate of litigation by those who may wish to challenge its scientific dependability. He said to deal with this the State must strengthen its judicial arm.

Warner noted that Chief Justice Ivor Archie stated at the opening of the law term earlier this year that lack of funds would mean certain services in the magistracy would have to be curtailed.

"There is therefore the real prospect of a backlog drunk driving cases" that reflect the government's "incompetence and its political myopia."

Warner said based on statistics 19.9 road deaths per 100,000 of the population it is the opportune time to introduce a court specifically to deal with traffic offences.

He said breathalyzer testing is just one aspect of dangerous driving and noted many others that need to be addressed such as reckless driving, operating vehicles that are not roadworthy, driving without insurance and driving permits.

Warner said the government's approach merely skims the surface of the problem and noted that what is needed is a holistic approach to dealing with road carnage.

"Law enforcement must be strengthened and prosecution must be swift," he said, "To do otherwise would be to engage in political cosmetology; merely applying a cover up on a national issue that demands synchronized State intervention."