Latvian government wants to transfer cars confiscated from drunk drivers to Ukraine

Latvia’s finance ministry said Wednesday that the government of the Baltic nation is preparing to allow cars to be confiscated from drunk drivers to be handed over to Ukrainian authorities.

Recent changes to Latvia’s traffic rules have made it easier for drunk drivers to seize cars, which until then was punishable by fines, suspension or revocation of driving licenses, and even imprisonment.

Now the State Revenue Agency (SRS), which is subordinate to the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for confiscated cars, has asked the government to hand over “its own for circulation” to the Ukrainian authorities, according to a released statement.

Currently, the SRS receives an average of five to six orders per day on the arrest of personal vehicles for the crime of driving while intoxicated, the ministry said.

“Majority [dos veículos apreendidos] It is relatively old, with high mileage, but in good condition.

For their part, the Ukrainian authorities have indicated that they are willing to accept this type of donation as long as the vehicles are in working order.

Since the beginning of the Russian military offensive, private and non-governmental organizations from Latvia have sent humanitarian aid to Ukraine, including donated cars, buses, ambulances and other specialized vehicles.

In Latvia, vehicle seizures from drunk drivers have increased since 2022, when the tightening of the law made drunk driving a serious crime.

According to the country’s finance ministry, Latvia’s tripartite government’s coalition partners on Monday informally agreed to approve the transfer of seized vehicles to Ukraine, a sign that the executive branch should soon approve the SRS request.