During the Christmas holiday this week police in Latvia detained 52 drunk drivers, said head of the Response Department of the State Police Juris Jančevskis in an interview to LTV programme Rīta panorāma.
During the holiday police caught 52 drunk drivers and in 38 cases, intoxication exceeded 1.5 per mille.
There were three tragic road traffic accidents during the Christmas holiday in Latvia. Three people died.
On Christmas day there were 96 road traffic accidents in Latvia. Two people were killed and another seven were injured in them, as reported by State Police.
On Tuesday, the 26th of December, at 18:30 (local time) some man driving a Nissan X Trail on Ventspils motorway near Ozolpils ran over a pedestrian walking on the drive way. It should be mentioned that visibility was poor at the time. Unfortunately, the man died on the spot.
Around 17:00 a VW and Mitsubishi collided on the road to Alūksne in Litene Parish at 17:00 (local time). The driver of the Mitsubishi died from his injuries and the passenger of VW suffered injuries in the crash and was hospitalised.
On Monday there were three people injured in accidents in Zemgale, two each in Riga and Vidzeme. Two of the victims were pedestrians.
On the 26th of December police detained 13 drunk drivers: four in Latgale, three each in Riga and Zemgale, two in Vidzeme and one in Kurzeme. Ten of the detained drivers were severely drunk while behind the wheel, and so they received criminal punishment. They will have their vehicle confiscated or will be fined an amount equal to the value of their respected vehicle.
A total of 203 reports were filed for speed limit violations: 46 motorists were punished in Riga region, 50 in Kurzeme, 48 in Vidzeme, 39 in Latgale and 20 in Zemgale. Three motorists were penalised for aggressive driving.
This week police in Latvia have filed more than 445 reports on road traffic rule violations.
BNN previously reported that police will organise additional road traffic control measures during the holiday. Increased road traffic control measures will remain in force until the 2nd of January 2024.
Police stress that people’s attitude towards road traffic accidents can prove decisive in their prevention.
Police urge everyone to respond to cases when drivers attempt to get behind the wheel while drunk.
Due to volatile weather conditions roads may be slippery. This is why police urge motorists to pay attention, be careful and maintain a safe driving distance from vehicles in the front.
Also read: Rail Baltica in Latvia to receive even more funding from 2024 budget
Follow us on Facebook and X!