1 in 100 drivers tested positive for alcohol in Spain

A WEEK long police campaign against drink driving led to 1,939 drivers being tested positive.

Between June 3 and June 9, a total of 196,480 people were tested for alcohol with 1,939 over them proving to be over the limit

Of these, 1,696 were detected at random controls, 128 after having committed a driving infraction, another 99 because they were involved in an accident and 16 because they showed obvious signs of being drunk.

Most were dealt with on the spot, but 248 have been reported to the courts for sentencing as they exceeded the upper limit of 0.60 mg/l of alcohol in exhaled air. In addition, 10 drivers are being prosecuted for refusing to take a test.

With regard to drugs, of the 3,826 drug detection tests carried out on drivers, 1,360 were positive. Of these 1,166 were detected at check points, 139 after having committed a driving offence and 55 because they were involved in an accident.

The most commonly used drugs were cannabis (959 cases), cocaine (524 cases) and amphetamines (197 cases).

These numbers only include those reported by the Guardia Civil traffic department. Figures from the local and regional forces that took part in the campaign are still being collated. Police now warn that they are increasing the use of drugs tests until they reach the same numbers as alcohol tests.

According to the Road Safety Prosecutor’s Office, last year 56,173 people were fined for driving with excessive alcohol or under the influence of drugs.