Riviera Maya, Q.R. — During the first 48 hours of roadside breathalyzers in Quintana Roo, five people have already been sent to jail. Efraín García Chávez, head of the Secretariat of Citizen Security (SSC) Transit for the state, said on the first night, three people were found driving impaired.
Another two were jailed for driving impaired on the second night. Chávez did not specify where the five impaired drivers were found, only that they were located during the state program set up along municipal roads for the holidays.
“On the first night there were three arrests and two on the second night. While vehicles are being stopped, we are also taking advantage of the opportunity to review documents, to make sure they are up to date and urging citizens to enjoy the festivities but responsibly,” he said.
The checkpoints are set up randomly in the municipalities. Police started the roadside breathalyzers December 18 and will continue issuing breathalyzers tests to drivers until January 6, 2025. He says the tests will be administered to all drivers, residents, national and international tourists, who are suspected of being impaired.
“At the breathalyzer checkpoints we have the presence of the health department, the internal affairs department and the municipal police in order to make our actions transparent in order to avoid acts of corruption,” he explained.
He said that drivers who have exceeded the permitted alcohol consumption will be subject to an administrative arrest, seizure of the vehicle and fines qualified by the Ministry of Finance and Planning (Sefiplan).
He added that if there are reports of officers receiving money in a bribe to get out of an impaired driving issue, the officer will be suspended or dismissed at the discretion of the Traffic Department and the offender will be subject to a double fine.
