The still increasing number of drunk drivers observed in recent years indicates residents in Latvia continue ignoring the dangers of irresponsible drinking combined with driving a vehicle. When driving a car in a state of inebriation, people not only breach road traffic safety rules but also put their own and other people’s safety at risk.
Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) together with partners has commenced a special information campaign – Don’t Drive While Drunk. One glass of alcohol before driving can cost far more than most people think.
Data from Latvian State Police indicate that in the first five months of 2022 there have been 367 road traffic accidents involving drunk drivers. 115 people were injured in those accidents and three – died.
105 drunk drivers were caught last week.
«Situations when drivers decide to get behind the wheel drunk are common – after a party, the area is well-known, short distances to travel and the belief that nothing will happen. This, however, is completely unacceptable behaviour. Drunk driving is a very costly pleasure! With this campaign we want to promote not only society’s understanding about the dangers of alcohol and the problems it causes when driving, but also explain how much the decision to drive a car while drunk will cost a person,» explains CSDD Communications Department lead Ilze Šipkēvica.
State Police often receive calls about accidents involving drunk drivers.
Sometimes police register other violations related to drunk driving. Too often consequences from them turn out heavy.
Drunk driver from Rucava fined EUR 2 500 and driver’s license revoked
On 13 February 2022 State Police received information that some man in Rucava crashed his car into the side of a building. The driver was hospitalized. An examination showed 3.30 permilles of alcohol in his blood.
Police commenced several administrative violation procedures – for causing a road traffic accident, for aggressive driving, for drunk driving, for driving a vehicle with insufficient tire protector depth and for driving a car with no vehicle insurance.
The fine for all of the aforementioned violations came up to EUR 2 500. The man also lost his driver’s license for five years.
Drunk driving costs man in Jelgava his driver’s license and a fine of EUR 1 500
On 30 May a man was driving a Nissan Pathfinder in Jelgava. While performing a maneuvre to the left, he caused a collision with a Volkswagen Golf that was on the opposite lane and had the right of way in that situation. As a result, the Volkswagen Golf was forced off road and into the field that was next to the road. An ambulance that arrived at the scene provided medical assistance to the woman driving the Volkswagen Golf.
After the accident the driver of Nissan Pathfinder left the scene. According to the man, he wanted to drive to his home that was nearby but the local residents stopped him and brought him back to the scene.
The examination showed 1.57 permilles of alcohol in his blood.
Police commenced three administrative violation procedures. The man was fined EUR 1 500 and had his driver’s licence revoked for five years.
Driver in Smiltene sentenced to prison, fine and driver’s licence revoked for drunk driving
On 3 January 2022 a man in Smiltene drove off road in his Volkswagen Caddy, overturning the car. The driver was injured in the accident and was delivered to a hospital. There the examination showed 1.92 permilles of alcohol in his bllod.
To make matters worse, the man was driving a car in a time when his driver’s license was taken away by a court ruling.
The law provides a fine of EUR 2 500 for these violations. Police commenced a criminal procedure. The court sentenced him to four months and ten days in prison. His driver’s license was also revoked for five years.
Residents should keep in mind more than just fines
The Road Traffic Law details penalties for drunk driving, but they are only park of the costs residents should keep in mind if they decide to drive their car after drinking alcohol.
On top of the law, drivers have to keep in mind car repair costs, lost work ability, physical and moral damages caused to themselves, their family and other people involved in the accident. Ergo insurance company reminds that the person responsible for road traffic accidents will need to pay compensation to third parties for the drunk accident they cause.
The campaign to promote residents’ understanding of the dangers of drunk driving is organised by CSDD together with Latvian State police, Ergo insurance company, LLS Gemoss and LLC CityBee Latvija.