2 slapped with drunk-driving charge

Two males who hail from the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) and Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) were charged for failing the breathalyser tests administered by the ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF).
Charged are Chaviraj Naidoo, 26, of Montrose, ECD, and 51-year-old Errol Williams of Fyrish, Corentyne, Berbice.
Police said both Williams and Naidoo were stopped along the East Corridor this week and when tested, they both failed the breathalyser tests that were issued to them. As such, they were both arrested and taken into custody.
However, on Wednesday the duo appeared at the Sparendaam Magistrate’s Court for the offence of driving a motor vehicle whilst their breath alcohol levels exceeded the prescribed limit. They were both charged separately and appeared before Magistrate A George.
The charges were laid under Section 39 (a) (1) of the Motor vehicle and Road Traffic Act Chapter 51:02 as amended by the Road Traffic Amendment Act 17 of 2022.
Police said when the charges were read to both Naidoo and Williams, they pleaded guilty and were fined $60,000- or three-months’ imprisonment.
Only a few weeks ago, the Guyana Police Force had called for persons to put safety first when behind the wheel and to never drive impaired.
As such, they said they were targeting rum shops to help minimise drinking and driving, along with having discussions with bar owners with the aim of curbing this issue.
They also reminded that driving while above the prescribed alcohol limit attracts a charge for the offence of driving under the influence (DUI) which carries a fine.
Persons can be charged if, when tested, their blood alcohol content is found to exceed the prescribed limit of 35 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, and their blood alcohol concentration exceeds 80 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood.