From today until 17 December, the Directorate-General for Traffic is launching a new special campaign on controlling the alcohol rate and the presence of drugs in drivers with the aim of increasing road safety and promoting zero consumption.
The delegate of the Government in the Valencian Community, Pilar Bernabé, has pointed out that “last year more than half of the people who died in traffic accidents had consumed alcohol or other drugs”. So far in 2023 in relation to last year, “fatal accidents linked to the consumption of alcohol and drugs in the Valencian Community have increased by 6%, although the number of victims has decreased by 2%”, said Bernabé. These data highlight “the need for special campaigns to make drivers aware that the only safe rate is 0.0%.” Bernabé recalled that during the week that begins today the majority of lunches and company dinners are held, so he has requested “the collaboration of local police for the realization of controls in the main cities”.
According to data from the DGT, the presence of alcohol and drugs multiplies the risk of accidents between 2 and 15. In addition, it not only affects a greater accident, but also a greater mortality, being a factor linked to a worse prognosis of the injuries suffered.
Alcohol remains the substance most consumed by deceased drivers, followed by cocaine, cannabis and psychotropic drugs.
Balance sheets previous campaigns
In the campaign carried out last August, 17,770 blood alcohol tests were carried out in the Valencian Community (9,028 in Valencia, 5,585 in Alicante and 3,157 in Castellón) and 498 drug control tests (525 in Valencia, 113 in Alicante and 133 in Castellón). Of the total blood alcohol tests, 293 tested positive (147 in Valencia, 116 in Alicante and 30 in Castellón) and drug control, 228 tested positive (120 in Valencia, 66 in Alicante and 42 in Castellón).