ALCOHOL AND DRUG CHECKS THIS WEEK

The latest campaign by Spain´s traffic department runs from the 2nd to the 8th of June, this time focusing on alcohol and drugs.

There will be an increased presence of the Guardia Civil on the roads, carrying out random spot checks, as well as creating special drug and alcohol checkpoints.

According to statistics from the DGT, alcohol is present as a concurrent or triggering factor in a third of all fatal accidents. Their presence can multiply the risk of an accident by up to 15 times. It is worth noting too that although the only safe rate is 0.0%, the limit in Spain is also considerably lower than that of the UK, a factor commonly ignored by foreign drivers.

There has been a significant decrease in the percentage of positive tests between 2001 and 2013, down from 5% to 1.7% in that time, although the aim is to reach a figure of below 1% of drivers at the checkpoints.

Drug use on the other hand has seen an increase, although it is hoped that the new legislation will start to have a positive impact on reducing the use of drugs by drivers, with figures showing some 11% of drivers tested were on some kind of banned substance, with cannabis and cocaine the two substances most frequently found.

Regardless of the effect on drivers, alcohol and drugs also pose a risk to pedestrians, mainly in urban areas, which makes the participation of all municipalities in this Special Campaign of extraordinary importance.

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/43836/

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