Nearly 900 drivers caught drinking as part of Zero Tax on Driving campaign

In seven days as part of the Zero Tax on Driving campaign, which ended on Monday, security forces recorded more than 11,200 violations, 899 of which involved driving while intoxicated.

In a joint statement, the National Republican Guard (GNR), the Public Security Police (PSP) and the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR) said that 51,874 vehicles were personally inspected during the week, with a total of 11,271 registered.

During the operation, which ran from October 31 to November 6, 2,816 accidents were recorded, resulting in three deaths (six fewer than last year), 32 serious injuries and 742 minor injuries.

The fatal accidents, all men aged between 50 and 86, occurred in the districts of Coimbra, Faro and Santarem.

Compared to the same period in 2022, there were 2,697 accidents, nine fatalities, 30 serious injuries and 750 minor injuries.

As part of the “Driving with Zero Tax” campaign, 173 drivers and passengers were educated.

The campaign included the participation of the regional administrative services of the Autonomous Region of the Azores in awareness-raising activities.

The campaign, included in the 2023 National Inspection Plan (PNF), was highlighted through digital media, variable message panels and through two ANSR awareness-raising events held in conjunction with the inspection operations carried out by the GNR and PSP in Aveiro. and Faro.

Three inspection actions were also carried out by the PSP in the Setubal district and another by the GNR in the Lisbon district. In the Autonomous Region of the Azores, PSP carried out three awareness-raising and inspection activities.

This was the 10th of 11 information and inspection campaigns planned as part of PNF 2023. Another campaign will be carried out towards the end of the year, at the end of November, with information and inspection activities.

The campaigns included in the national inspection plans have been carried out annually by the ANSR, GNR and PSP since 2020, with topics determined based on the European guidelines set for each year.

Over the 10 campaigns that took place this year, 51 events were held, during which more than 3,700 people were personally raised.

As for verification activities, the number of drivers checked in person was more than 498 thousand, and about 10.4 million vehicles were checked using radar.