Filenews 19 June 2023
At least 4 000 deaths could be avoided in the European Union every year if drink-driving were eliminated. The new figures show that the proportion of drivers exceeding the permitted alcohol limit has returned to pre-pandemic levels in many European countries.
According to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) report, extensive, visible and well-visible enforcement is key to effectively reducing alcohol- and driving-related road accidents.
However, data analysed by ETSC shows that the number of traffic stops decreased significantly in many countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and while some countries are now increasing the number of checks again, this is not happening fast enough. The percentage of drivers found to be above the limit has returned to its pre-pandemic level in many countries.
Over the past decade, the number of population-related checks for drink-driving has decreased in ten countries and increased in just six. Worryingly, 15 countries monitored by ETSC do not collect national data on the number of traffic police checks on alcohol consumption carried out, including Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia and Serbia.
In addition to increasing and monitoring the number of stops, ETSC argues that governments should ensure that checks can always be carried out randomly and without the condition that the police first suspect drink-driving has occurred.
All countries are invited to follow Norway's model in organising road safety campaigns, where exhalation proof devices (alcohol meters) can be used by the police in on-site checks. Many countries still require further blood tests at a police station or hospital, which makes testing requirements for drivers related to drunkenness violations more difficult. This results in fewer checks on the roads.
According to ETSC, financial sanctions can also be more effective when linked to income. The report cites the example of Denmark, where fines for driving under the influence of alcohol are calculated using a coefficient proportional to the driver's blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and monthly income. Several countries, including Lithuania and Poland, require certain repeat and high-level offenders to fit an exhaled air alcoholometer-type device in their vehicle, which requires permissible alcohol limits to start the engine.
Current EU driving licence legislation prohibits the issuing of driving licences to people who are dependent on alcohol. Many people who are dependent on alcohol could benefit from a driver's license that restricts driving to vehicles that have an alcohol interlock. But this is not allowed for the time being. The ETSC is calling for this restriction to be lifted in order to update the EU's driving licence directive next year.
