ROMANIA ARGES COUNTY

COUNCIL

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION – A CAUSE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS

AER – Committee 2 – Alcohol Working Group - 24th October 2007, Terceira, Portugal

e. Total number of roads 319, with an overall e. Total number of roads 319, with an overall length of 3025 km:length of 3025 km:

• 12 state roads, with a total length of 570 km12 state roads, with a total length of 570 km• 56 regional roads, with a total length of 1140 km56 regional roads, with a total length of 1140 km• 251 country roads, with a total length of 1315 km251 country roads, with a total length of 1315 km

f. Characteristics:f. Characteristics:• In this region, the main traffic flows are from South In this region, the main traffic flows are from South

to North and from East to Westto North and from East to West• 75% of the roads pass through city centers 75% of the roads pass through city centers • The number of cars increased by 25% during The number of cars increased by 25% during

20072007• Traffic increased by 60% due to the modernisation Traffic increased by 60% due to the modernisation

of two important state roads linking the South and of two important state roads linking the South and the North of the countrythe North of the country

• Biking remains very popular in countryside.Biking remains very popular in countryside.

Collecting Biological Samples for Alcohol TestsCollecting Biological Samples for Alcohol Tests (according to Traffic Law)(according to Traffic Law)

Biological samples are collected in certified ambulatory units or in Biological samples are collected in certified ambulatory units or in forensic institutes.forensic institutes.

Biological samples are only collected in the presence of a police officer. Biological samples are only collected in the presence of a police officer. In order to estimate alcohol levels, two different biological samples are In order to estimate alcohol levels, two different biological samples are collected with a time interval of one hour between the samples. collected with a time interval of one hour between the samples. The second blood sample aims at calculating as precisely as possible The second blood sample aims at calculating as precisely as possible the levels of alcohol concentration in the blood at the moment of the the levels of alcohol concentration in the blood at the moment of the accident.accident. In case the person refuses to give a second biological sample, the In case the person refuses to give a second biological sample, the alcohol level is not calculated retroactively. The refusal is registered in the alcohol level is not calculated retroactively. The refusal is registered in the collection report.collection report. Contradictory samples are kept in all cases.Contradictory samples are kept in all cases.

2. Driving a car or a tram on public roads while having an alcohol concentration level of more than 0,80 mg/L is punished by imprisonment for 1 to 5 years.

If the person in question is: - a public transport driver on duty,

- carrying hazardous goods or materials, - a driving instructor,

the punishment is imprisonment for 2 to 7 years (art. 87 of the Traffic Code)

Legal Provisions - Traffic Code (Law N. 49 /2006) About drink driving -

• 1. Drink driving is an offence and is punished by losing 9 to 20 points and the suspension of the driving license for 90 days.

• A person suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol is subjected to an alcohol test: the test consists of breathing into a certified or probated technical device. (art. 185 of the Traffic Law)

4. Car or tram drivers are subjected to compulsory biological sample collections to estimate their alcohol concentration levels when:

• The first alcohol test indicates a 0,40 mg/L alcohol rate in the breath

• The car or animal-towed vehicle driver has had an accident causing injuries or the death of one or more people.

• The vehicle driver is transporting hazardous goods or materials (art. 185, 186, 187 of the Traffic Code)

Alcohol TestsYear 2006 Total of 838 tests, submitted to:• 94% men amongst whom:- 95,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/lL- 4,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l• 6% of women amongst whom: - 100% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l

Year 2007 - 8 months

Total of 586 tests, submitted to:• 96% men amongst whom:

- 97,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l

- 2,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l• 4,4% women amongst whom:

- 95,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l

- 4,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l

Total of 838 tests to:• 456 ( 54% ) = drivers• 170 ( 20% ) = bikers• 215 ( 26% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers215 ( 26% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers

Year 2006

54%

20%

26%

Year 2007 - 8 monthsTotal of 586 tests, submitted to: • 157 ( 27% ) = Drivers157 ( 27% ) = Drivers• 205 ( 35% ) = bikers205 ( 35% ) = bikers• 224 ( 38% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers224 ( 38% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers

27%

35%

38%

Road accidentsRoad accidents– caused by alcohol– caused by alcohol

2006 2007 - 8 months1. Overall number of road accidents (cause: traffic code infractions, lack of attention, speeding, alcohol consumption) 1589 7932. Overall number of road accidents linked to alcohol consumption 418 238• Light road accidents (material damages + flesh wounds) 391 218• Severe road accidents (material damages + severe wounds) 27 20• Deaths 2 1

Healthcare costs of road accidents caused

by alcohol

a. 2006: - 30 100 TWI days worth 1 655 500 euros

b. 2007 (8 months): - 17 173 TWI days worth 945 516 euros

TWI = Temporary Work Incapacity (days in hospital and home care)

1 TWI day = 55 euros

Remarks & conclusions

a. The majority of road accidents caused by alcohol occur:–At the end of the week (on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)–On religious holidays or during weekly fairs

b. The majority of road accidents caused by alcohol occur between 06:00 pm and 06:00 am

c. For cyclists, pedestrians and cart drivers, road accidents are also linked to the following factors (besides alcohol):•Lack of obedience of traffic rules •Walking on the roadway•No indication of their presence on the roadway•No use of reflective vests

Measures implemented at the

national level•Modification of the Traffic Code, with

tougher punishments; •Patrol vehicles for the county police;•Increase in the number of traffic

surveillance and control teams;•Media campaigns under the ‘Stop

Alcohol’ programme;•Tax increase for alcohol drinks; •Building new roads to by-pass urban

and rural centres.

Measures proposed at the regional level

a.a. Introduction of alcohol-related themes in education programmes, as Introduction of alcohol-related themes in education programmes, as part of the civic education coursespart of the civic education courses

Partners:Partners: Arges County Council, Arges Education Inspection Arges County Council, Arges Education Inspection

b.b. Awareness-raising campaign for citizens about the risks of drink Awareness-raising campaign for citizens about the risks of drink driving for public safetydriving for public safety

Partners:Partners: Arges County Council, Regional Police, local NGOs Arges County Council, Regional Police, local NGOs

c. Modernisation of regional road equipmentc. Modernisation of regional road equipment• improving road markings and road signsimproving road markings and road signs• Building and repairing cycling lanes and sidewalks in rural areasBuilding and repairing cycling lanes and sidewalks in rural areas

Partners:Partners: Arges County Council, Local Councils Arges County Council, Local Councils