Arrest in Agoncillo for Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol and Reckless Operation on a Heavy Vehicle
In Agoncillo, a town in La Rioja, a person was detained by the Civil Guard on suspicion of a crime against road safety. The individual, identified as a truck driver, faced charges after returning a breath test showing 1.16 milligrams of alcohol per liter of exhaled air. This level is seven times higher than the limit allowed for professional drivers, which is set at 0.15 mg/l. The incident raised concerns about road safety along a busy corridor used by heavy transport.
The events occurred on a Sunday when the driver was observed driving with noticeable inconsistency. Authorities noted uneven zigzags and side-to-side movements while the semi-trailer, a 3.5-ton vehicle, navigated the AP-68 as it crosses the municipality of Agoncillo, located roughly 15 kilometers from Logroño. The Civil Guard documented these driving irregularities as the vehicle approached a routine stop along the route.
According to a La Rioja Civil Guard statement issued on Wednesday, agents intercepted the articulated vehicle and required the driver to undergo a breathalyzer examination. The test results confirmed signs of intoxication. The individual was then transported to a hospital for medical observation, where he remained under supervision for several hours. After discharge from medical care, the driver was formally placed under arrest and faced additional penalties for reckless driving, reflecting the danger posed by operating a heavy vehicle while intoxicated.
Following a judicial review, the authority prohibited the driver from operating a motor vehicle and moped for a period of 16 months, reflecting the seriousness of the offense and its implications for public safety. The case underscores the ongoing enforcement actions by regional authorities to deter driving under the influence and to safeguard road users along major highways and local routes alike [La Rioja Civil Guard report].