Random checkpoints will soon pop up to catch drunk drivers to prevent road accidents that still happen despite the COVID-19 quarantine, most of them due to driving under the influence, the Metro Manila Development Authority said Wednesday.
Since July 1 for instance, the MMDA recorded 100 collisions between private vehicles and concrete barriers on the the new EDSA busway, said MMDA General Manager Arturo Garcia.
The blood alcohol levels of motorists will be checked in the random checkpoints, which will most likely be set up during curfew hours, Garcia said. A curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. is prescribed but some cities have adjusted the start time to 10 p.m. so better check with local authorities.
“Nung kinompute namin mula sa accidents na yan, lalong lalo na yung sa mga barrier nga, kadalasan kung hindi naka-inom, nagte-text (When we looked into these accidents, particularly those involving concrete barriers, drivers were mostly drunk or texting)," Garcia said.
Officers from the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group, Land Transportation Office, and MMDA will be armed with breath analyzers.
"Kung kaya natin kasuhan, ipakukulong natin kapag ikaw ay naging guilty dito sa mga sinasabi ko na violations na to. Lalung-lalo na yung pag-inom ng alak (If possible, we will file criminal charges, and they'll go to jail if found guilty. Especially for DUI)."