29 Jun 2009

Samoa passes law for the use of breathalysers and blood tests to curb drunk driving

6:14 am on 29 June 2009

In Samoa, a Bill allowing Police to test drivers for alcohol levels using breathalysers has been passed by Parliament.

The Samoa Observer says drivers found to have an alcohol level of more than 40 micrograms per 100 millilitres of breath are deemed drunk drivers

The legislation also allows for blood tests for drunkenness which it defines as having 80 milligrams of alcohol per 10 millilitres of blood.

The Road Traffic Amendment Bill 2009 says drunk driving will attract a nearly 2,000 US dollar fine or five years jail or both.

Offenders could also lose their driver's licence for 12 months.