Road traffic police in the Murcia region have stopped and tested 62,086 motorists over the last year for drugs and alcohol and are carrying out a crack down during the holiday period.
Over 1,279 drivers, some 2.09% of the total tested, proved positive last weekend compared to 0.75% of motorists tested in June.
Controls will continue during this weekend in a campaign to try and prevent drivers drinking and/or taking drugs over the holiday period.
The General Director of Traffic (DGT) says alcohol is not just a factor but the cause of a great number of accidents on the region´s roads. Alcohol was a factor in 33% of road traffic accidents in 2013 and of the 44 drivers who died some 30% had consumed alcohol and 9% tested postive for drugs.
According to the DGT: “The consumption of alcohol is not only connected to more accidents but also has repercussions on the mortality rate. The only safe amount of alcohol for drivers is zero.”
Since the beginning of the campaign on July 1 there have been no deaths on the inter urban roads, although tragically a child was run over on an urban road in Las Torres de Cotillas. This compares to five road deaths during the same period last year.
“Also significant is the reduction from eight to one in the number of serious injuries which encourages us to continue with the campaign,” added the DGT.
