18 Drunk Drivers Caught on Latvia's Roads on Saturday
Despite awareness campaigns, police stopped 18 intoxicated drivers on Saturday; 12 face criminal proceedings, 6 administrative processes.
Despite widespread campaigns ahead of the Midsummer holiday urging people not to drive under the influence, the Latvian State Police caught 18 intoxicated vehicle drivers on Saturday. In 12 cases, criminal proceedings were initiated, while in six cases, administrative offense proceedings commenced, indicating blood alcohol concentrations of up to 1.5 parts per thousand.
The highest number of drunk drivers was recorded in the Riga region and Zemgale, with six each. In Vidzeme, three drivers were found intoxicated, in Latgale two, and in Kurzeme one. In four criminal cases, the vehicle used in the offense was confiscated, and in eight cases, a monetary penalty equal to the vehicle's value may be imposed.
During the past 24 hours, police also recorded 240 speeding violations and 16 cases of aggressive driving. In total, 626 administrative offense reports were processed in the traffic sector. The police remind that intoxication is a major cause of serious road traffic accidents and urge drivers to be responsible.
