“Driving safely after drinking alcohol or taking other drugs is simply not possible!”

So said Inspector Kenneth John, second in command at the Traffic Department of the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force.{{more}}

John is giving this timely reminder as Vincentians enter the National Heroes weekend.

“As the holiday approaches, a number of persons will be attending various functions. Some of these functions include the consumption of alcohol. It is imperative that persons who will be consuming alcohol should not drive. It is best to have a designated driver, someone who would not be drinking alcohol,” John cautioned.

John is of the view that while not every drunken or drugged driver causes an accident, they may end up driving dangerously, and risk his or her life, as well as the life of every other road user.

Alcohol slows the reflexes and reaction time, as well as reduces drivers’ ability to see clearly, explained John, while adding that driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs also distorts a driver’s judgment of speed and distance making that individual less alert.

The Inspector is warning that anyone who attempts to or drives a motor vehicle on a road under the influence of alcohol or a drug commits an offence under the laws of St.Vincent and the Grenadines.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, March 14th, 2009, six officers of the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force will be celebrating their 26th anniversary as members of the local constabulary. These officers are Inspector Kenneth John, Station Sergeant Desmond Samuel, Sergeant Custer Ambris, Sergeant Ornan Jacobs, Sergeant Paul Jones, and Corporal Joel Hull.

They are the remaining six of a batch of 51 officers that enlisted in the constabulary 26 years ago. (HN)