Skip to main content

DUI problem identified in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is facing a problem with drivers being caught behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs. Police in the country began using a new testing system to identify drug use amongst drivers in mid-2017. Since that time, 1,250 drivers have been charged for driving under the influence of drugs. Of note is that around 60% of those charged with driving under the influence of drugs are aged between 18 and 30, while over 50% of the offenders had been using more than one drug at the time of arrest
October 2, 2018 Read time: 1 min
The Netherlands is facing a problem with drivers being caught behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs. Police in the country began using a new testing system to identify drug use amongst drivers in mid-2017. Since that time, 1,250 drivers have been charged for driving under the influence of drugs. Of note is that around 60% of those charged with driving under the influence of drugs are aged between 18 and 30, while over 50% of the offenders had been using more than one drug at the time of arrest.

Related Content

  • Police action reveals drink driving issue in Europe
    July 27, 2015
    Pan-European moves to tackle drink driving reveal that many still take to the wheel while over the limit for alcohol. The results from week-long operation to address drink driving run in June show that there were 16,497 alcohol offences from 1,104,879 breath tests in 26 countries. One in 66 drivers tested was over the limit in this year’s operation, compared with one in 63 last year and one in 59 in 2013. In addition, 2,752 drug offences were recorded, while over 2,516 other crimes were also detected during
  • Crash saves lives
    November 20, 2014
    In Texas a police officer took affirmative action to tackle a drugged driver dangerously speeding the wrong way up a major highway. The officer spotted the errant vehicle heading the wrong way and drove his police cruiser deliberately into the path of the car, to safeguard other road users.
  • US road safety issue for vulnerable road users
    March 1, 2019
    Vulnerable road users face risks in the US. While road fatalities are falling overall in the US, pedestrians and cyclists have seen an increase in road deaths in recent years. Driver fatalities have dropped from 27,348 in 2006 to 23,611 in 2017. However, road deaths for pedestrians and cyclists have increased from 5,567 in 2006 to 6,760 in 2017. Poor attitude by US drivers is thought to be a key factor. Aggressive behaviour behind the wheel and driver distraction, particularly with the use of cellphones,
  • IAM pollsters support traffic light risk system for driving on prescription drugs
    October 16, 2013
    Just half of drivers feel prescription drug labelling is clear enough on medicines, according to the latest poll by road safety charity the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM). Earlier this year, the government announced that a drug-driving bill will be introduced and will include chemicals which can be found in prescription drugs. Almost a third of respondents suggest that a simple traffic-light system would be the best method to inform people of the risks of using prescription drugs when driving.