European police cracking down on drink driving

Police in Europe have been cracking down on drink driving with a major joint operation in 30 countries. Close to 1.2 million breath tests were carried out as part of this recent European operation. Police forces achieved 1,168,631 roadside breath tests for alcohol, of which 18,391 were positive. Motorists were also checked for drugs in the operation, and 2,976 offences were detected. President of pan-European police body TISPOL Koen Ricour said, “It is disappointing that so many people still think the law
August 19, 2014 Read time: 2 mins

Police in Europe have been cracking down on drink driving with a major joint operation in 30 countries. Close to 1.2 million breath tests were carried out as part of this recent European operation. Police forces achieved 1,168,631 roadside breath tests for alcohol, of which 18,391 were positive. Motorists were also checked for drugs in the operation, and 2,976 offences were detected.  President of pan-European police body 4753 TISPOL Koen Ricour said, “It is disappointing that so many people still think the law does not apply to them, and that it’s acceptable to drive after consuming alcohol. Research shows that impairment starts with the very first drink. So our message is clear. Don’t drive after drinking alcohol. Officers across Europe will continue to target drink-drivers all year round, so if you choose to take a risk by driving after drinking alcohol, then we will find you and bring you to justice because we will not tolerate the risk you pose to yourself and to other innocent road users who may be in your way.”

Ricour had this additional warning for any driver using medicines. “Driving under the influence of drugs, even those prescribed by a doctor, is an offence. We urge drivers to take seriously any drowsiness warnings on the medications they may be using, because driving under the influence of drugs, even those prescribed by a doctor, is very dangerous. That’s why it is treated as a serious offence by police officers and courts across Europe’

Stopping drivers to check for alcohol and drug offences also provides police officers with the opportunity to make other appropriate safety and security checks. For example, during the week of the operation, officers also detected and dealt with offences connected with illegal immigration and human trafficking (97), drug-related crimes (580), firearms crimes (54), wanted persons (240), and 2,284 other crimes.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Enforcement lack affects safety on Europe’s roads
    June 17, 2016
    Insufficient police enforcement across Europe is damaging road safety, according to the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC). Two reports available through the ETSC say that a fall in the level of police enforcement of traffic offences is contributing to Europe’s failure to cut the numbers dying in road collisions. More than 26,000 people died on EU roads last year, the first increase since 2001 according to the ETSC annual road safety performance index (PIN) report. Exceeding speed limits, drink or
    Read More
  • Plain sailing for Caterpillar’s PM 300 series
    February 22, 2019
    Caterpillar’s revamped small cold planers have upped the stakes in the urban refurbishing market. World Highways deputy editor David Arminas recently caught up with A.J. Lee, global segment manager, on Spain’s Costa del Sol
    Read More
  • Europe’s road safety is not improving as previously
    April 3, 2012
    The latest official figures on road safety in Europe are giving cause for concern, with data showing casualty reduction has slowed. EU Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas recently announced a disappointing progress on casualty reduction on Europe's roads. The joint European police association, TISPOL, has added that it is also concerned that improvements in cutting fatalities on Europe’s roads significantly slowed in 2011.
    Read More
  • Road hazards for winter driving
    March 28, 2018
    With the Northern Hemisphere in winter, it is no surprise that many of the countries in the north are now experiencing cold conditions that can make driving challenging. Driving on roads covered in ice or snow can present serious dangers, particularly for the unwary or for those inexperienced with poor conditions. Too many drivers are unaware that ABS systems can be ineffective in snowy or icy conditions. Old-fashioned driving techniques such as cadence braking are not always taught these days, but are im
    Read More

Highlighted Content