A video of a motorcyclist stopped by police for a random breathalyzer test has sparked a row between Australians and Americans over civil “rights”.
Police stopped the motorcyclist at Long Reef on Sydney’s northern beaches last week.
The entire exchange lasted less than 40 seconds and both the police officer and the driver behaved pleasantly towards each other.
Images were shared on Instagram where some American commentators expressed their anger at the fact that the motorcyclist was detained claiming that the police “had no rights.”
“You are all sheep who don’t know what freedom is,” one wrote.
‘Why do you put up with this nonsense? Why don’t they fight back with litigation, legislation and protests? said another.
The naïve responses angered dozens of Australians, particularly those who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers.
“If you had a sister-in-law killed by a drunk driver leaving behind an eight-month-old baby, you would understand,” one wrote.
The entire exchange lasted less than 40 seconds and both the police officer and the driver (pictured) behaved pleasantly.
‘We don’t like drunk drivers on our roads here. “We like to keep our families safe.”
Another added: “In Australia, most people understand that our civic responsibility to ensure the safety of the entire community involves some minor inconveniences, such as a 40-second breathalyzer test.”
‘I feel much better knowing that the vast majority of people don’t drink or drive. That’s freedom, friends.
“I enjoy having the right to not be killed or paralyzed by a drunk driver when I’m away from home,” wrote a third.
“Complainers are complaining about this,” one wrote.
‘Have you ever known a family who has lost someone killed by a drunk driver? Know everyone, the world has bigger problems.
Other Australians took the opportunity to attack gun safety standards in the United States.
“Imagine being from a country that tolerates children being shot to death at school, but opposes the idea of police trying to keep drunk drivers off the roads,” said one.
“At least in Australia, when you get stopped by the police you can have a normal conversation with them and both parties don’t fear for their lives,” wrote another.
Random breath testing is common in Australia and all states and territories impose fines and/or license suspensions as penalties.
In New South Wales, drivers convicted of drink driving face a minimum license suspension of three months for a first offense and six months for subsequent offences.
