At least 4,000 deaths could be avoided in the European Union annually if drink driving were eliminated. The new figures show that the proportion of drivers over the legal alcohol limit has returned to pre-pandemic levels in many European countries.

According to his report European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) extensive, visible and well-advertised enforcement is a key action to effectively reduce drinking and driving-related crashes.

However, data analyzed by the ETSC shows that the number of roadworthiness tests fell significantly in many countries during the Covid-19 pandemic, and while some countries are now increasing the number of tests again, this is not happening quickly enough.

The percentage of drivers found to be above the threshold has returned to the pre-pandemic level in many countries. Over the past decade, the number of drink-driving tests in proportion to the population has fallen in ten countries and increased in just six.

Worrying is that 15 countries monitored by the ETSC do not collect national data on the number of drink driving tests carried out, including: Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Hungary, Israel, Luxembourg, Latvia , Malta, Netherlands, Slovakia and Serbia. As well as increasing and monitoring the number of checks, the ETSC argues that governments should ensure that checks can always be carried out randomly and without the condition that the police first suspect that drink driving has occurred.

All countries are invited to follow the Norwegian models in the organization of road safety campaigns, where breathalyzers can be used by the police in spot checks. Many countries still require further blood tests at a police station or hospital, making it more difficult to screen drivers for drink driving offences. This results in fewer road checks. According to the ETSC, financial sanctions they can also be more effective when linked to income.

The report states the example of Denmark where fines for drink driving are calculated using a factor proportional to the driver’s blood alcohol concentration (BAC) level and their monthly income. Several countries, including Lithuania and Poland, require certain persistent and high-level offenders to fit a breathalyzer-type device in their vehicle, which requires legal alcohol limits to start the engine.

Current EU law on driving licenses prohibits the issuing of driving licenses to people who are dependent on alcohol. Many people who are dependent on alcohol could benefit from a driver’s license that restricts them to driving vehicles equipped with an alcohol interlock. But this is currently not allowed. The ETSC is calling for this restriction to be lifted in order for the EU’s driving license directive to be updated next year.