ST JOHN’S, Antigua (CMC) — The Antigua and Barbuda Government has warned motorists that they would be charged if they are found to be eating and using a cell phone while driving.

Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin told Parliament that the amendment to the Vehicles and Road Traffic Act will also allow for the police to administer breathalyser tests to determine if someone was driving under the influence of alcohol.

“People who are driving, eating, not paying attention to the road, you are going to be charged!” Benjamin told legislators during the debate on the 2019 national budget.

He told Parliament of an incident where he was driving recently and came to a standstill “at the junction and all I heard was (a noise) in the back”.

“When I looked back the lady still had the compact in her hand and only came to attention when her car ran into the back of a car before her,” he added.

A policeman who had spoken about he legislation in September had expressed concern that many traffic collisions were caused by “distracted drivers”.