The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) reported daily findings from a recent enforcement operation focusing on alcohol and drug impairment. The campaign, conducted during the period from the 8th to the 14th of the month, identified 444 drivers each day who were behind the wheel after consuming alcohol or medications. These results come from a comprehensive surveillance effort aimed at reducing risky driving and enhancing road safety.
During the campaign, a total of 201,938 drivers underwent checks carried out by Civil Guard Traffic Group officers. Of those tested, 3,105 individuals returned positive results for alcohol and/or drugs, indicating the ongoing challenge of impaired driving and the need for continued enforcement and education.
Although the overall number of controls rose compared with the previous year’s effort by about 48,000 additional inspections, the proportion of drivers found under the influence remained relatively steady. On most days, 444 drivers were detected with some level of impairment. The majority were identified through preventive checks, while a smaller share resulted from traffic violations, accidents, or the appearance of impairment symptoms.
In the alcohol category, professional drivers, motorcyclists, and new drivers accounted for a small portion of the positives in this campaign, representing 3.9 percent overall. Specific figures show 18 professional drivers, 35 motorcyclists, and 48 new drivers testing positive. Of the 200,731 breathalyzer tests performed, 2,591 yielded positive results. A total of 262 drivers faced formal procedures and were brought to justice for driving with a breath alcohol level above the legal limit or for refusing the test.
Regarding drugs, the majority of positive cases came from recent testing. The breakdown shows marijuana as the most frequently detected substance (approximately 69 percent), followed by cocaine (around 42 percent), with amphetamines and methamphetamines at about 31 percent, and opioids around 6 percent. This pattern underscores the need for consistent drug-impaired driving deterrence and education campaigns.
Additionally, 12 drivers were brought to justice for involvement in traffic incidents while under the influence of psychotropic substances or for refusing to submit to a drug test. The enforcement body noted that the campaign serves not only to identify offenders but also to warn and raise awareness about the risks of driving after consuming alcohol or drugs. The objective remains to reduce the share of the driving population that exceeds legal limits, even if some drivers do not reach the maximum permissible rate.
During this edition, more than 4,750 drivers were identified as tests were conducted. Among them, the vast majority, 4,518 individuals, were flagged during preventive checks. The remaining cases included 184 detections for violations, 41 related to accidents, and 7 arising from symptoms observed by officers. The findings reinforce the importance of ongoing, visible enforcement and public education to promote safer road behavior and responsible driving across the region.