Alcohol Behind 26% of Traffic Accident Fatalities

A new special campaign for the surveillance and control of alcohol and drugs conducted by the Traffic Division of the Civil Guard between August 29 and 25 resulted in 3,801 positive tests for alcohol and/or drugs out of a total of 225,946 drivers checked. These alarming figures highlight that alcohol continues to be the second leading factor in fatal accidents, accounting for 26% of fatalities.

This means that 543 drivers were detected each day driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, with the majority (89.3%) caught during preventive checks, and the rest due to infractions, accidents, or presenting symptoms.

Regarding alcohol detection tests, during the seven-day period, 221,752 tests were conducted and 2,156 drivers tested positive. Of these, 1,930 were detected in preventive checks, 108 after committing an infraction, another 107 for being involved in an accident, and 11 more for showing clear signs of alcohol consumption.

Of the 2,156 drivers who tested positive for alcohol, legal proceedings have been initiated against 221 for exceeding the rate of 0.60 mg/l in exhaled air. Additionally, legal proceedings have been opened against another 12 drivers who refused to take breathalyzer tests, and they have been brought before judicial authorities. The only permissible rate is zero tolerance.

Concerning drugs, out of the 4,194 drug detection tests conducted on drivers, 1,645 tested positive in preliminary tests. Among them, 1,466 were detected in preventive checks, 104 after committing an infraction, and 75 for being involved in an accident.

Of the 1,645 drivers who tested positive for drugs, legal proceedings have been initiated against six for driving under the influence of toxic drugs, narcotics or psychotropic substances. As usual, the most commonly consumed drugs include cannabis (1,203 cases), cocaine (565 cases), and amphetamines (233 cases).