Almost 200 drunk drivers caught in intensified police surveillance operation

The police carried out an intensified surveillance operation over two weekends (21-24 November and 29 November-1 December) during the pre-Christmas party period. Surveillance was carried out through mass breathalyser tests and instant drug tests nationwide.

The police spent around 3,200 hours on a nationwide surveillance operation. Around 60,000 breathalysers revealed 189 drunk drivers, while a further 357 drivers gave a result below the drink-driving limit.

A total of 179 instant drug tests were carried out during the operation, which resulted in 54 drivers being caught for drug-impaired driving.

Besides this, 42 wanted persons were caught.

Severe penalties for drunk driving

Chief Superintendent Ihalainen at the National Police Board of Finland reminds people that drunk driving may result in other consequences than a sentence and driving ban. 

- If you drive while intoxicated and have an accident, you may be held fully liable for all compensation for the accident and vehicle damage. Where a person is guilt of multiple drunk driving offences, the police may also confiscate the vehicle, which a court could then order to be forfeit to the state.

Around 17,000 drunk drivers caught each year

According to Ihalainen, around 17,000 drivers driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are caught each year. The police’s intensified surveillance of pre-Christmas traffic has caught around 252 drunk drivers, and roughly the same number were caught this year.

- Drunk driving missions and offences have traditionally most frequently occurred on weekend nights in November-December. Alcohol-related accidents are also most common at this time of year.