Every week in Latvia, around 50 drivers are caught driving under the influence of alcohol. Although the number of drink-drivers has fallen since stricter penalties were introduced in late 2022, 2,250 drivers have already been arrested in the first nine months of this year, Zemgale Television reported on October 19.
The number of confiscated cars also continues to rise, and there is no shortage of luxury vehicles amongst them. This year, 550 cars have been confiscated.
The Provisions State Agency manages seven vehicle storage yards across Latvia. Cars seized from drink-drivers also end up there. Since the end of 2022, just under three thousand vehicles have been confiscated, and this year alone – more than 550. Among them are also expensive luxury cars.
Jānis Nebars, Deputy Director of the Provisions State Agency, revealed that the most expensive car confiscated this year was a ‘Mercedes-Benz’, with a resale value of 52,000 euros.
The future fate of confiscated cars depends on their value and technical condition.
“Vehicles are divided into three categories. The first comprises those sent to scrap yards; this accounts for around one-third or slightly less. The mid-range category, valued at up to 10,000 euros, is channelled through charities to support Ukraine, whilst the most expensive vehicles are sold off,” explained Nebars.
The sale takes the form of an auction, which has already brought in more than half a million euros to the state budget this year. The value of the cars channelled to support Ukraine is roughly the same.
Police statistics show that the harsher penalties have had an impact on the number of offenders. “In 2002, there were more than four and a half thousand drivers. Last year – just 3,000, but we are still concerned that a large number of these drivers are heavily intoxicated, which means they are committing this offence deliberately and are thinking neither of the consequences of their actions nor of this penalty," said Juris Jančevskis, Head of the State Police Response Directorate.
Last year, approximately 27 per cent of drivers arrested had a blood alcohol concentration exceeding one and a half per mille, whilst more than a third were driving without a valid driving licence.
“The most typical profile, which has remained unchanged for several years, is a man in his prime, aged between 31 and 50. Many of these drivers certainly need their licence for their main job,” admitted Jančevskis.
The police detect drink-drivers both during special operations and as part of routine traffic monitoring. Often, other road users also report suspicious driving behaviour. The highest number of such offences is recorded between April and October. This year, 2,250 drivers have already been arrested.
Seen a mistake?
Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor
Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor