24-hour intensive breathalyser tests launched countrywide

The police started to carry out a 24-hour drunk driving surveillance campaign from Friday afternoon and will continue until Saturday afternoon, said a press release issued by National Police Board on Thursday.

Chief Superintendent at the National Police Board, Heikki Ihalainen, estimates that tens of thousands of breathalyser tests will be performed on drivers.

“It is not a good idea to drive under the influence of alcohol or otherwise intoxicated, even this weekend. The most important reason is, of course, that the risk to get injured and die in traffic increases significantly due to intoxicants. The risk for getting caught is higher this weekend,” said Ihalainen.

According to preliminary information, there were 30 fatalities and 495 injured in drunk-driving accidents in 2018. According to Ihalainen, the number was fortunately lower than in previous years.

Many young people die or get injured in drunk-driving accidents. Of the fatalities and those injured, more than a third were aged 15 to 24.

“Personal injuries caused by drunk-driving tend to happen in the summer months. This is the reason the police is involved in preventing drunk driving already before the summer months begin,” Ihalainen explained.

Approximately 19,000 drunk drivers were caught last year.