The Police Traffic Department is encouraging motorists to drink responsibly and avoid prosecution this festive season, especially since the Breathalyser Programme will be officially re- launched next Thursday.

The programme has been dormant ever since the last set of breathalysers stopped working, but Deputy Superintendent Byron Powell, told THE STAR that they were confident that the acquisition of new and more modern equipment would help in their campaign against drunk driving.

DSP Powell said the department had acquired 20 Intoxilizer 8000 machines, which were capable of analysing results and then giving a printout and said they also received 200 hand held alcometers, which are the modern hand held breathalysers.

He said the machines "will be strategically divided among the 15 centres across the island and we're going to put one in each centre. We have the resources to test people now and we will be hitting the road."

He added, "We are so excited that we got them for the Christmas season and we'll be up and running by then. We'll be testing anyone involved in accidents and anyone who breaches the Road Traffic Act. We will be out there, no holds barred and once we suspect you, we're going to test you, no matter your category. Whether sick, lame or lazy."

A driver who is convicted of an offence committed while driving under the influence, could lose his licence for a year and could also lose 14 points from his licence.