Breathalysers are back
Safe to use during pandemic, police say
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
The police have assured that the resumption of the use of breathalysers will not result in motorists contracting the coronavirus.
The use of breathalysers was suspended in March when President Hage Geingob declared the coronavirus state of emergency.
Police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga instructed officers to stop conducting breathalyser tests for fear of spreading the virus.
The breathalyser is the fastest way to determine whether a motorist is under the influence of alcohol.
In October, after the state of emergency was lifted, Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that breathalysers were still too risky and that traffic officers would continue to use blood tests and other sobriety tests such as seeing whether a motorist can stand on one leg for some time. However, on Friday, a memo from Ndeitunga instructed the regional police commanders to resume using breathalysers immediately.
Concern
Members of the public have expressed concern about possible exposure to the coronavirus, which has claimed 160 lives in Namibia to date. When contacted for comment, Ndeitunga referred questions to Deputy Commissioner Amalia Gawanas, who is the head of traffic. According to Gawanas, the use of breathalysers was being resumed because motorists were taking advantage of the moratorium.
She said some motorists suspected of being under the influence refused to have their blood tested at the nearest health facility. Another challenge that presented itself was a lack of doctors in some regions, which meant that even if the police took the person to a clinic, there was no one to take blood samples, she said.
Gawanas said the law enforcement agencies together with the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund recently met and agreed to bring back the use of breathalysers.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The police have assured that the resumption of the use of breathalysers will not result in motorists contracting the coronavirus.
The use of breathalysers was suspended in March when President Hage Geingob declared the coronavirus state of emergency.
Police inspector-general Sebastian Ndeitunga instructed officers to stop conducting breathalyser tests for fear of spreading the virus.
The breathalyser is the fastest way to determine whether a motorist is under the influence of alcohol.
In October, after the state of emergency was lifted, Ndeitunga told Namibian Sun that breathalysers were still too risky and that traffic officers would continue to use blood tests and other sobriety tests such as seeing whether a motorist can stand on one leg for some time. However, on Friday, a memo from Ndeitunga instructed the regional police commanders to resume using breathalysers immediately.
Concern
Members of the public have expressed concern about possible exposure to the coronavirus, which has claimed 160 lives in Namibia to date. When contacted for comment, Ndeitunga referred questions to Deputy Commissioner Amalia Gawanas, who is the head of traffic. According to Gawanas, the use of breathalysers was being resumed because motorists were taking advantage of the moratorium.
She said some motorists suspected of being under the influence refused to have their blood tested at the nearest health facility. Another challenge that presented itself was a lack of doctors in some regions, which meant that even if the police took the person to a clinic, there was no one to take blood samples, she said.
Gawanas said the law enforcement agencies together with the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund recently met and agreed to bring back the use of breathalysers.
[email protected]
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