A large-scale police action in European countries took place recently and span across an entire week, TISPOL (European Traffic Police Network) reports. Policemen in 30 European countries carried out no less than 1,168,631 roadside breath tests between 2 and 8 June as part of a huge effort to curb the accidents caused by drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs.
Of the total nearly 1.2 million tests, 18,391 were positive, TISPOL President Koen Ricour reports. This accounts for 1.57 percent of the motorists tested, and to the untrained eye, this may sound a very small number. However, alcohol and drug-related impairment is one of the big causes of very nasty accidents, most of them also producing casualties. The same source mentions that 2,976 motorists have been found driving under the influence of drugs, including those prescribed by doctors, but which should not have been used in conjunction with operating motor vehicles.
“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 adds.
He also reminds that even drugs prescribed by the medic may lead to an offense: “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. “
Like always, the roadside breath tests are a great opportunity for the police to run other appropriate safety and security checks. The week-long EU-wide operation has also returned “offences connected with illegal immigration and human trafficking (97), drug-related crimes (580), firearms crimes (54), wanted persons (240), and 2,284 other crimes.”
Unfortunately, TISPOL did not provide relevant information as of how many of the perpetrators were riding motorcycles, but we’re sure they weren’t only a handful. Via motorbiker.
Follow the link for a (not so) funny story about drinking in Ireland.
“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 adds.
He also reminds that even drugs prescribed by the medic may lead to an offense: “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. “
Like always, the roadside breath tests are a great opportunity for the police to run other appropriate safety and security checks. The week-long EU-wide operation has also returned “offences connected with illegal immigration and human trafficking (97), drug-related crimes (580), firearms crimes (54), wanted persons (240), and 2,284 other crimes.”
Unfortunately, TISPOL did not provide relevant information as of how many of the perpetrators were riding motorcycles, but we’re sure they weren’t only a handful. Via motorbiker.
Follow the link for a (not so) funny story about drinking in Ireland.
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