Heavily Drunk Drivers On The Rise In Finland

PHOTO: POLIISI.FI11 OCT - The number of heavily drunk drivers is clearly on the rise in Finland, results of recent police operation show.
Since 1988 the Police in the Scandinavian country has been carrying out nation-wide breathalyser tests twice a year, in spring and autumn, with 100% of drivers passing the checkpoint being tested.

Testing

This autumn’s Police spot checks involved 38 487 drivers subjected to breathalyser tests. In total, 73 drivers (0.18%) were recorded as drunk. Those who had consumed some alcohol but did not exceed the limit were 248 (0.63%). The number of clearly drunk drivers in the traffic flow was slightly higher than in preceding years while the number of those who were under the incriminating limit of alcohol consumption was slightly lower. The percentage of drunk drivers in traffic was at its lowest in 2012 (0.11%) and at its highest in 1990 (0.25%). There is some yearly variation in the numbers but the percentage has remained fairly established between 0.11 and 0.14 during the past few years.

Protocol

The drivers picked up in the traffic flow are subjected to a screening with a breathalyser. If the result is lower than the punishable limit, or 0.50 ‰ or 0.22 mg/l, the driver is recorded as one who has consumed a few sips. If the result of the screening exceeds the punishable limit, the driver is sent to a precision alcometer or blood test. If the content of alcohol exceeds the punishable limit, the driver is recorded as drunk.

Heikki IhalainenDrugs

"The drivers under the influence of drugs or pharmaceuticals are not subject to a specific survey but the corresponding numbers are followed in the survey spot checks. This year 15 persons under the influence were caught, compared to ten drivers in 2018", Chief Superintendent Heikki Ihalainen of the National Police Board informed. "Every year, approximately over 100 000 drivers are subjected to nation-wide breathalyser tests. However, only one large-scale yearly spot check was organized in 2018 and 2022, with 40 000 drivers taking the breathalyser test. No surveys were made during the Covid-19 pandemic", Ihalainen added.