Sober behind the wheel – police to survey pre-Christmas party traffic at the weekend

The police will intensify their surveillance of drink driving from Friday 24 to 26 November 2023.

The police would like to remind all pre-Christmas partygoers and everyone else beforehand that intoxicants and driving do not mix. 

“A good rule of thumb is that if you drink, you don’t drive,” advises Chief Superintendent Heikki Ihalainen at the National Police Board, adding that pre-Christmas party-goers are recommended to either make arrangements for a lift home or have the fare available to take a taxi home.

The police will also breathalyse drivers on the roads on Saturday and Sunday morning.

If you’ve drunk copious amounts of alcohol, it’s a good idea to refrain from driving the following day.

”Even though you no longer have any alcohol in your blood, driving may still be prohibited due to fatigue. This means you should stay away from behind the steering wheel until you are fully fit to drive,” Ihalainen points out.

During the campaign, particular attention will also be given to meeting the fitness requirements of drivers to drive.

Driving when intoxicated is one of the most common risk factors in fatal accidents

According to the Finnish Crash Data Institute’s Annual Report 2021, driving while intoxicated is, along with speeding, the most common risk factor in fatal motor vehicle accidents. 

Of the main causes of accidents, 40% involved driving under the influence of some intoxicant and alcohol was the most commonly used intoxicant in these accidents (29% of the main causes).