Breathalyzer tests:

Police import 40,000 balloons

Ridma Dissanayake

The Police Department announced they have imported 40,000 balloons for the breathalyzer test to determine the alcohol levels of persons to clamp down on drunk drivers during the Sinhala and Hindu New Year festival season.

Ealier, there had been a shortage of these balloons used for breathalyzer tests.

While the Police take action against nearly 35,000 persons annually for driving under the influence of liquor, the shortage of balloons had prevented the Police from taking action against many drunk drivers.

Traffic Branch DIG Amarasiri Senaratne said the 40,000 balloons are to be distributed among islandwide Police stations and that a sample balloon has already been sent to the Government Analyst for tests.

Police personnel attached to the traffic branches in Police stations islandwide have been instructed to ensure a minimum number of road accidents during the festive season.