The Ministry of Police and Prisons has lamented on the increasing numbers of people caught driving under the influence of alcohol during the Christmas long weekend.
Deputy Police Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo told Radio Polynesia close to 30 people were arrested, and majority were drunk drivers and the rest were drunk and disorderly in public.
The Deputy Commissioner said the Ministry continues to appeal to members of the public to consume responsibly and not to get behind the wheel when under the influence of alcohol.
He said the Ministry invested in a number of awareness programs, on the television, radio and social media on the consequences of drivers when impaired or under the influence.
He said the roadblocks will continue throughout the holidays as one form of deterrence and that they are continuing to collaborate with the village councils in pushing this message across that drunk driving is dangerous and for the public to drink responsibly.
The Deputy Police Commissioner noted that members of the public continue to downplay the seriousness of driving under the influence, but it is dangerous.
He then pointed to the recent incident in American Samoa where four people died as a result of a drunk driver’s actions.
