Police in Latvia Catch 21 Drunk Drivers and One Under Drugs in a Single Day
Latvia's State Police report that 21 drivers were stopped for drink-driving and one for driving under the influence of drugs over the past 24 hours. In 15 of the alcohol cases, the level was high enough to bring criminal liability.
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Over the past 24 hours, the State Police stopped 21 drivers on Latvian roads for driving under the influence of alcohol, and another driver who was under the influence of narcotic substances. The figures come from information compiled by the State Police and published on 8 November.
Where the drivers were caught
The largest number was recorded in the Riga region, where 11 drunk drivers were stopped. Latgale and Zemgale each had four, while Kurzeme and Vidzeme had one each.
Penalties and criminal liability
In 15 cases the blood alcohol concentration exceeded 1.5 per mille, which carries criminal liability. The other six drivers had less than 1.5 per mille and were handled with administrative violation reports.
The driver found under the influence of drugs was caught in Zemgale. This offence also carries criminal liability.
Police confiscated the vehicles of five drivers who were heavily intoxicated, while the others will have to pay the value of their vehicles.
Other violations and accidents
During the same period, police drew up 473 administrative violation reports in road traffic. Of these, 224 were for exceeding the speed limit and one was for aggressive driving.
Latvia also registered 110 road accidents, in which 14 people were injured. Among the injured were one pedestrian, two cyclists and two electric scooter riders.
