On Midsummer Day, Police Catch Dozens of Violators; One Cyclist with 2.42 Promille
The State Police of the Zemgale Region conducted intensified traffic control raids in the Bauska district on June 24. During a four-hour operation, 80 drivers were checked, revealing several violations, including an electric bike rider with 2.42 promille of alcohol in his breath.
On Midsummer Day, June 24, inspectors Eva Rampāne and Baiba Roze from the Southern Zemgale Unit of the State Police's Zemgale Region, accompanied by journalists from "Bauskas Dzīve," carried out a four-hour raid in the Bauska district. During the operation, 80 drivers were tested, two of whom initially showed alcohol on a passive test but later recorded zero on an active test.
Highly Intoxicated Cyclist
One of the most notable violations involved an electric bike rider who registered 2.42 promille of alcohol in his breath. A second test 15 minutes later showed 2.5 promille. The cyclist admitted to drinking for two days and consuming alcohol before riding. He stated, "I didn't think it would be that much." It was also found that he was wearing headphones and his vehicle was unregistered. He was fined 170 euros.
Italian Driver Refuses to Pay Fine
During the raid, an Italian driver was stopped for speeding at 74 km/h on Kalna Street. Initially, he agreed to pay the fine but later refused, claiming he had no money. Following procedure, police confiscated his driving license but could not remove the license plates as they were screwed on. The driver said he would not return to Latvia and continued his journey with his wife driving.
Statistics and Trends
Over the full day, 33 administrative proceedings were initiated in the Southern Zemgale Unit, 30 of which were traffic-related. Speeding was the most common violation with 15 cases. One case of aggressive driving and one drunk cyclist were recorded. During the holiday, four raids checked 183 drivers, two public transport buses, and 14 passengers. Police used a drone for surveillance.
Inspectors noted that many violations stem from habit rather than the severity of penalties. Baiba Roze commented, "Penalties can be increased, but those who tend to break rules will continue – it's already a habit." Eva Rampāne highlighted that motorcyclists often speed in summer, and some have illegal windshield stickers or modified exhausts.
A positive sign was that several drivers voluntarily came to the police station before driving to check their alcohol level. Chief Inspector Una Jermakova noted a decrease in serious violations, especially drunk driving, indicating a positive trend toward greater responsibility.
