Safe and Sober: ETSC’s efforts against drink drivingOslo 23rd of April 2008 Antonio Avenoso
Drink Driving enforcement 1
EC Recommendation on Traffic Law Enforcement in 2003. Highest level of checks (2004): Finland, Estonia, Sweden, the Netherlands. Lowest levels (2004): Italy, Belgium Sartre-3-Survey (2004): Only 26% of drivers in the EU were checked (2001-2004).
21 The EC adopted a recommendation on TLE in 2003, which compiled the three main areas: Speeding, Drink Driving and Seat belt use. In terms of drink driving the recommendation states that random breath testing should be applied (that means that tests are not only based on suspicion) and evidential breath testing devices should be used. But due to the legally non binding nature of this recommendation, also levels of drink driving checks vary greatly across Europe: The highest levels of checks are found in Finland, where almost 40% of drivers are tested (0.35 checks per capita), but also in Estonia (0.2 checks), Sweden (0.17 checks) and The Netherlands the levels are quite high. In all these countries police have been empowered to stop and breath test drivers at random. On the other hand there are countries like Italy (appr. 0.01) and Belgium (0.02) for instance where only few drivers are tested annually. The assumption that in the EU as a whole drink driving enforcement is much to
Drink Driving enforcement 2
Austria: Introduction of roadside alcohol tests 2005. -20% Drink Driving deaths (2005-2006). Switzerland: Introduction of 0.5 BAC limit and random breath testing in 2005. -25% fatal Drink Driving accidents (2005-2006).
22 There is evidence from some countries that intensified drink driving enforcement can lead to impressive reductions in alcohol related road fatalities. In Austria for instance, where evidential roadside breath test devices were introduced in 2005, the number of alcohol related road deaths dropped by 20% from 2005 to 2006. The new devices, which are able to produce a legal evidence on the roadside, allowed the police to cope with much larger numbers of offences: They are able to test ten times more drivers than before. Also Switzerland achieved impressive results. Although yet being a forerunner in terms of road safety (one of the lowest number of road deaths per population: app. 50 per 1 Mio) the country was able to further reduce the number of road deaths through the introduction of a new BAC limit in conjunction with random breath testing in 2005. Numbers of alcohol checks increased by the new method (formerly only 30% of drivers stopped were tested, this is now 50% of drivers
Alcohol interlocks
Life-saving potential Between 40% and 95% reduction in the rate of drink driving repeat offences User acceptability More acceptable if not too invasive: 34% of EU drivers are in favour (2003). Manufacturers’ efforts In Sweden Volvo and Toyota can fit their vehicles with interlocks if the client wishes to do so Introduction scenario Company cars Recidivist drivers
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Alcohol and Health Forum
EU strategy in reducing alcohol-related harm (EC 2006) The priorities: protect young people and children & unborn child; reduce injuries and deaths from alcohol-related road accidents; prevent harm among adults and reduce the negative impact on the workplace; raise awareness of the impact on health of harmful alcohol consumption; and on appropriate consumption patterns develop a common evidence base at EU level.
The strategy identifies areas where the EU can support the actions of Member States to reduce alcohol related harm, such as financing projects through the Public Health and Research Programmes, exchanging good practice on issues such as curbing under-age drinking, exploring cooperation on information campaigns or tackling drink-driving and other Community initiatives. Concerning drink driving, the Strategy recommends to introduce maximum BAC limits according to the above mentioned Recommendation (0,5 mg/ml and 0,2 mg/ml for professional and novice drivers). Moreover, the European Commission highlights the importance of effective enforcement of drink driving laws in order to substantially reduce traffic deaths. Thus, it recommends the introduction and enforcement of frequent and systematic random breath testing, supported by education and awareness campaigns involving all stakeholders. According to the Commission, a combination of strict enforcement and active awareness raising wou
To know more
Newsletter to monitor safety policy developments in the EU www.etsc.be
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