DGT Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Drink and Drug Driving Until November 17
Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) launched a special enforcement campaign on November 4 against driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs, conducting over 57,000 tests nationwide. This initiative aims to reduce traffic accidents caused by these violations, which resulted in 462 deaths on Spanish roads in 2023. The campaign will run until November 17.
Campaign Background and Data
The DGT states that alcohol and drugs are among the main threats to road safety in Spain. According to official data, 462 fatal accidents in 2023 were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, accounting for a significant portion of the year’s total traffic fatalities. This special campaign, funded by the European Commission through the [European Road Safety Observatory], aims to intensify enforcement with high-intensity checks.Pere Navarro, Director-General of the DGT, stressed that any form of drink or drug driving is intolerable.
Scope and Implementation of Checks
This campaign plans to conduct over 57,000 tests, including breathalyzer tests for alcohol and saliva tests for drugs, covering conventional roads and motorways across all provinces. The DGT will collaborate with local and national police forces to set up checkpoints at random locations. These efforts are not limited to specific periods but are part of a year-round strategy to create a constant deterrent.Similar past campaigns have proven effective, helping to reduce the incidence of related accidents in recent years.
Historical Effectiveness and Ongoing Warnings
Previous special campaigns by the DGT have shown a downward trend in fatalities from drink and drug driving, but the issue remains critical. Data from 2023 indicates that while speeding is the primary cause of fatalities, alcohol and drugs rank as the second-largest risk factor. This campaign continues the DGT’s zero-tolerance policy, urging drivers to adhere to regulations and avoid driving after consuming alcohol or drugs.Offenders face severe penalties, including fines, license suspension, and imprisonment.
Public Appeal and Safety Reminders
The DGT is amplifying its warnings through social media and public announcements, using slogans like [no bebas y conduce] (don’t drink and drive) and [no consumas drogas al volante] (don’t use drugs at the wheel). During the campaign, the public can access real-time traffic information via the DGT website or its app. This measure highlights the Spanish traffic authority’s sustained commitment to road safety.
