The Ministry of Police and Prisons has rubbished claims their breathalyser machines are not operational.
Acting Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo said the devices are working and have already been re-certified, in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
The breathylysers are preliminary screening devices used during DUI traffic stops to determine if someone is possibly intoxicated.
During a press conference with the media on Wednesday, Auapaau said the devices have been re-callibrated to meet required standards to carry out police duties during road blocks and traffic stops.
In a later interview with the media, he pointed out the increase of Drunk Driver matters and noted that its a concern for the Ministry hence the consistent road block every weekend.
He added that during the day police are conducting traffic stops to check on whether drivers have valid drivers licenses and vehicle registrations are valid.
District Court Judge Alalatoa Rosella Papalii in court this year expressed concerns over the increase of driving under the influence cases. She said in 2019 there were 811 D.U.I. cases and in 2020 that number almost doubled as it was 1,433 cases and the current year there are 1,192 DUI cases.
