The Director of Traffic for the region of Murcia has announced the beginning of mass breathalyzer testing from today, Monday December 12, to December 18.
The Road Traffic Division of the Guardia Civil will carry out testing on 5,000 motorists in the 45 municipal areas of the region.
Alcohol played a part in one third of the road traffic accidents in the region during 2010.
According to the Director of Traffic the only safe level of alcohol for motorists is zero but the law permits levels of 0.25mg/litre in breath for cyclists and cars or small vans. For lorry drivers, vehicles of 3,500 kg or vehicles for more than nine passengers the limit is 0.15mg/litre. The lower limit also applies to new drivers.
Alcohol adversely affects a driver´s reactions, coordination, vision, attention and control, and increases the risk of drowsiness and reduces the perception of risk: all factors which increase the risk of being involved in an accident ninefold..
According to the penal code drivers with more than 0.60mg/litre or 1.2gr/l in the blood can face prison sentences of between three to six months or community work of between 30 to 90 days and a four year driving ban.
Anyone refusing to take a breathalyzer test faces a six month prison sentence and an automatic driving ban of four years.
