Member of Parliament for St. Peter and Minister of Social and Urban Transformation, Hon. Rawdon Turner, is calling for breathalyzer tests to be administered immediately at the scene of traffic accidents, arguing that stronger enforcement is needed to curb drunk driving and reduce road fatalities.
According to Antigua.news, Turner made the recommendation during parliamentary debate on the Fatal Accidents Bill 2026, stating that the country has endured far too many road deaths and that alcohol-impaired driving remains a serious concern.
"I think that it is time for us to have breathalyzer tests administered immediately on the scene of an accident," Turner told Parliament.
The minister drew on a personal experience to illustrate the urgency of his call. He recalled witnessing the aftermath of a collision years ago while travelling home from carnival celebrations with family members. The driver responsible for the crash, he said, appeared heavily intoxicated.
"You could tell, you could smell the alcohol from the time you came out of the door," Turner said. "The police came, people went in ambulances, but there was no administration of a test. No blood was drawn at the hospital."
Turner argued the incident exposed a gap in both the country's laws and its enforcement procedures. "I think that's something that's lacking in our force and in our laws to ensure that drunk driving does not continue to cause accidents and deaths in this country," he added.
The St. Peter MP voiced his support for the Fatal Accidents Bill, which seeks to provide families with legal avenues to pursue compensation when a person's wrongful act, neglect, or default results in another individual's death.
Earlier in his parliamentary contribution, Turner acknowledged that newly rehabilitated roads — including sections of the All Saints Road — have made driving more appealing, but cautioned that improved infrastructure should not invite reckless behaviour.
"As young people, we like to set up on a beautiful piece of road," he said, referencing the tendency for street racing and speeding on newly paved surfaces.
Turner described the Fatal Accidents Bill as "long time in coming," calling it an important step toward greater accountability and stronger protections for families affected by fatal road incidents.
