Among them, the concentration of alcohol in the body of eight vehicle drivers was between 0.5 and one per thousand, two – between one and 1.5 per thousand, while nine vehicle drivers sat at the wheel under the influence of a strong or at least 1.5 per thousand.
The most drunken drivers were in the age group from 31 to 50 years.
In the past 24 hours, the most number of persons were checked in the Riga region – 2156.
The information released by the State Police also shows that nine vehicle drivers were caught driving under the influence in the Riga region, five in Zemgale, three in Kurzeme and one each in Vidzeme and Latgale. Also, one vehicle driver was caught under the influence of narcotic substances in the Riga region.
Accordingly, nine administrative violation proceedings and 11 criminal proceedings have been initiated. Car confiscation will be applied in six cases.
In the past 24 hours, 236 speeders were caught on Latvian roads, including 60 in Vidzeme, 58 in Latgale, 52 in the Riga region, 38 in Zemgale and 28 in Kurzeme.
One vehicle driver was also caught for aggressive driving.
In total, 523 decisions on administrative violations were made in the field of road traffic last day, including 151 administrative violations recorded in Latgale, and 103 in Zemgale.
From December 20, in addition to daily traffic control, the State Police will pay increased attention to specific traffic hazards during public holidays – as far as possible, the police will conduct inspections throughout Latvia, emphasizing that drivers do not drive while intoxicated, as well as checking seat belts and whether passengers are transported safely.
It is also reported that in November 2022, amendments to the Criminal Law entered into force, which provide for criminal liability for driving a vehicle or teaching to drive a vehicle, if the concentration of alcohol found in the exhaled air or blood test exceeds 1.5 parts per thousand. Likewise, criminal liability is provided for driving a vehicle or teaching to drive a vehicle while under the influence of narcotic, psychotropic, toxic or other intoxicating substances.
In addition, the vehicle is confiscated if the owner drove it under the influence of alcohol or refused to be tested for the presence of intoxicating substances in the body. In cases where the vehicle driven while intoxicated belongs to another person, the full or partial value of this vehicle shall be recovered from the guilty person.