Between January and November 2016, the Traffic Police applied 21,012 air intake tests.
In total, 10% of the results (2,122) shoed an alcohol content above the maximum limit set by the law. For this reason, they were referred to the Public Prosecutor to face criminal proceedings for the offense.
According to Commissioner Mario Calderón, director of the Transit Police, the figure could be low if one analyzes that only one of every 10 drivers was in an ethylic state. However, that number matches the number of road deaths for driving under the influence: 41 cases of the total 404 deaths prior to November 30th.
The problem is clear, we cannot keep calm because only one in 10 drivers is drunk, because it would be like saying that only one of 10 people killed in roads died for this cause, and the truth it is that they are 41 lives that could be saved, the fatality could be avoided,”
said Calderón.
The official stressed that these statistics are negative, especially when compared with the previous year, when 1904 drivers were caught drunk and referred to the Judiciary. There are 218 more cases than in 2015.
Also, the 2016 reported 281 cases of drivers who were punished with ¢ 309,574.47 and accumulated 6 points on the license. These people were driving with a level of alcohol that does not deserve criminal sanctions, but rather economic ones.
Calderón also said that 580 people gave positive in the alcohol test, but it was such a low level that they were not sanctioned in any way, in compliance with the Traffic Law.