Report Finds That 49.4% Of Drivers In Spain Killed In Accidents In 2021 Were Under The Influence Of Alcohol Or Drugs
Spain News
Published: 21 July 2022 14:24 CET
Despite the country's traffic authority, the DGT, operating regular safety awareness campaigns, the problem of drink and drug driving in Spain continues to be an issue.
This week, Minister of Justice, Pilar Llop (pictured), presented the 2021 Report on Toxicological Findings in Traffic Accident Victims which analyses the presence of alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances in drivers who are killed in traffic accidents.
The data showed that in “49.4% of all deaths of drivers in road traffic accidents in 2021, the presence of alcohol, drugs or psychoactive drugs, alone or in combination" was detected.
Furthermore, the Minister also added that "75% of these positive drivers showed a very high blood alcohol level, equal to or greater than 1.2g / L, which correlates with degrees of very severe intoxication."
In total, 1,094 post-mortem samples were taken from 812 drivers, 180 pedestrians and 102 passengers.
Of the 812 drivers, 401 showed positive toxicological results for alcohol, drugs of abuse and/or psychotropic drugs, either alone or in combination.
Of the total, 92.3% of the deceased who had positive results were men with 88.8% driving a car, motorcycle or moped. Profiling showed that the majority were men between the ages of 25 and 54, consuming mainly alcohol and secondly, drugs.
Fatal accidents in younger drivers between 18 and 34 occurred more at weekends with many of the drivers under the influence of cannabis.
With 35 to 65-year-olds, the highest incidence occurred during weekdays with the main substance being cocaine.
Alcohol continues to be the most detected substance in deceased drivers, followed by cocaine, cannabis, and psychotropic drugs the report found.
The data also showed that in 11.7% of deceased drivers analysed, the presence of psychoactive drugs was identified.
Of the 180 pedestrians killed, 37.8% had positive toxicological results for one or more of the substances.
Llop said that it showed how important it was to focus on the mental health and wellbeing of citizens highlighting the fact that the Government had recently set up the 024 suicide prevention helpline which seeks to assist those with suicidal behaviour.
The Minister stressed that it is hoped that sharing the data with the public will bring an even greater awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence.
It is the 26th edition of the report which the minister said provided an unprecedented level of analysis with around 90% of all fatalities being analysed toxicologically.
The Ministry of Justice chief said that more of the country’s territories are being reached which was allowing progress in social cohesion through prevention.
"The quality of the data allows us to know the reality of each territory and design more focused campaigns that take into account their particularities", she said.
Despite the Spanish becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of driving after consuming alcohol, drugs and psychotropic substances, it is still an issue which is reflected in the number of recorded accidents.
Data from the reports will be made available to the administrations of each of the country's autonomous communities so each can explore the toxicological results in traffic accident fatalities within their own communities and use this data to bring about change.
Source
https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/serviciosdeprensa/notasprensa/justicia/Paginas/2022/200722-informe-toxicologico-victimas-trafico.aspx
Image Credit: La Moncloa Flickr
