Police detected 840 offences for driving under the influence of alcohol on Croatian roads during the weekend of 6 to 8 November, a 50 per cent increase compared to the previous weekend, when 560 were recorded. These are data published on 9 November on the official website of the Police Directorate, with enhanced surveillance carried out ahead of St Martin’s Day.
A total of 6,048 traffic offences were established during the enhanced surveillance, compared with 5,382 the previous weekend. The most common were speeding offences, numbering 2,166. This was followed by 522 offences for not using a seatbelt and 270 cases of improper use of a mobile phone while driving. The highest speed recorded was 201 kilometres per hour, in the area of the Primorje-Gorski Kotar Police Administration.
The highest alcohol concentration during the weekend was measured in a 63-year-old cyclist, whom police stopped at 17:20 on Sunday, 8 November, in Petrijevci near Osijek. A breath test determined he had 4.59 per mille of alcohol in his system, the highest concentration recorded during weekend checks in Croatia. In the area of the Osijek-Baranja Police Administration, a total of 33 drivers were found under the influence of alcohol, including 29 car drivers, three cyclists and one tractor driver. Four car drivers refused to take a drug test.
The Zagreb Police Administration recorded the highest number of alcohol-related offences at national level, with 370. By age, the most alcohol-related offences were among drivers aged 31 to 40, totalling 237.
From Friday to Sunday, 65 traffic accidents with casualties occurred on Croatian roads. A total of five people died in four accidents, while 117 people were injured over the entire period.
Police also caught 26 drivers who are repeat offenders for the most serious traffic offences. Twelve were driving under the influence of alcohol, nine were driving without a passed driving test, and four were driving despite a ban on operating a vehicle. One person refused a drug test. Six drivers were detained in police premises, while an urgent misdemeanour procedure was conducted against the remaining 20, with a proposal for the imposition of the highest penalties provided by law.
Enhanced checks continue on 11 and 12 November, when St Martin’s Day is observed. Police previously announced that they would pay special attention to alcohol, drugs, speed and other offences that increase the risk of traffic accidents.
