The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has announced this Thursday that “serious” work is being done to lowering current drink driving rates and has considered that Spanish society is mature enough to address this issue.
Although the minister has not given further details, sources from his Department have assured that they are considering lowering the current rate of 0.5 grams per litre of blood to 0.20 or from 0.25 milligrams per litre of inhaled air to 0.10 for all drivers.
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“The National Road Safety Council has informed us of the need for Let’s modify and lower the alcohol levels and we are really working seriously” on it, Marlaska said at an informative breakfast at the Nueva Economía Fórum.
The reduction in alcohol rates is a proposal from victims’ associations and road safety associations that the Ministry has taken on board and is included in the draft reform of the General Traffic Regulations with regard to vulnerable users, specifically in the amendment of article 20.
“In more than half of the accidents the element of the alcohol and other drugs as a determinant,” recalled Marlaska, who has said that Spanish society is mature enough to address this issue. The minister explained that surveillance is being intensified, so that this year it will reach 6 million alcohol tests and 120,000 drug tests.
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The previous proposal of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) to lower theThe alcohol rates for drivers, included in the draft amendment to the regulations, were aimed only at professional and novice drivers.
