Drivers still nabbed drinking and driving despite warnings

It was no secret in Belgium this holiday season that taking the wheel after drinking would not be tolerated, and that efforts would be stepped-up to make the roads safer. However, despite the communications push, 5.6% of drivers tested were above the legal limit. 

New Year’s Eve saw 1,183 drivers breathalysed across the country, with 67 of them blowing beyond the legal limit. The high figure comes as a surprise to police, as the number of drunk drivers exceeded the average of 3% usually stopped during peak operation periods. 

The Belgian Federal Police Service launched a major campaign alerting drivers that 100 more officers would be taking to the streets in testing operations on the final day of 2013. However, it appears though drivers ignored the warnings.

The New Year’s Eve checks resulted in 20 drivers losing their licenses for at least the next two weeks.