During the pandemic, alcohol checks on our roads have dropped by more than two-thirds: 77 were carried out in 2021, compared with 103 in 2020 and even 250 in 2019.
Last year’s systematic checks caught 230 drivers who were over the limit - these are just the official numbers from the checks ordered by the prosecution.
There are no comparable systematic drug checks. This only happens when there are visible signs of use.
But a new bill is making its way through legislative procedures, which would allow police to immediately withdraw a driving licence for the use of drugs, as is already the case for drinking and speed infractions.
The government does not think the legalisation of cannabis will have an impact on road safety.
On the other hand, in a third of the 21 fatal accidents recorded last year, alcohol was involved.
The information was revealed by ministers Tanson, Bausch and Kox in response to a parliamentery question by CSV MP Nancy Arendt.
