Government proposes new measures against drunk driving

Mandatory car ignition locks and easier confiscation of vehicles planned

print this

The government plans to enact more efficient measures against drunken driving.
      The Ministry of Transport and Communications is planning on making the experimental programme on breathalyser ignition locks permanent, and the Ministry of the Interior is asking for a million euros in funding for new equipment, such as precision breathalysers for police cars.
      Minister of Transport Anu Vehviläinen (Centre) says that the breathalyser lock, which prevents driving by someone with alcohol in his or her breath, would remain an alternative to a ban on driving.
     
The breathalyser ignition lock is one of a number of measures announced by Vehviläinen, Minister of Justice Tuija Brax (Green), Interior Minister Anne Holmlund (National Coalition Party) and Social Services Minister Paula Risikko (Nat. Coalition Party).
      To ease enforcement, police are to be provided with precision breathalysers. More testers are also planned to catch drivers who use intoxicants other than alcohol.
     
The Ministry of Justice is holding talks with the State Prosecutor's Office on establishing a consistent line among prosecutors, who would be urged to call for the confiscation of a convicted drunk driver's vehicle more frequently than is the case now.
      The Supreme Court has issued two rulings on the matter in 2005, but only about ten confiscations of cars have been ordered each year.
      Tougher proposed measures include allowing police to temporarily immobilise the car of a drunk driver. In such a situation, the driver would retain ownership, but the use of the vehicle would be prevented by removing the licence plates and immobilising the car with a wheel clamp.
      There are also proposals to upgrade treatment of habitual drink drivers.
     
A Ministry of Justice working group is preparing a proposal on how municipalities could better support the police in camera surveillance.
      Also under consideration is the possibility that a municipal employee could send a fine to the owner of a car caught by a speed camera exceeding the speed limit.
      Justice Minister Brax says that such a system would not be a money machine for local authorities: the municipalities would not be allowed to keep the money from the fines, except to cover the costs of the enforcement.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Doubling in number of accidents caused by youth drunk driving (20.2.2007)
  Drink driving figures apparently not affected by alcohol tax cut (23.8.2004)
  Drunk drivers give wild readings in breathalyser tests (22.8.2007)
  Breathalyser ignition lock trial proposed for DUI convicts (30.1.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat