Drunk Driving Rate in Bulgaria at 2.5%, Police Operation Reveals

Bulgarian traffic police have intercepted 158 car drivers sitting behind the wheel after having drunk alcohol in just two days, BGNES reported on Tuesday,

A total of 6,325 motorists were tested for drunk driving in a nationwide police operation carried out between 31 July and 2 August, at the peak of summer holidays.

Out of the 158 car drivers found to have drunk alcohol 52 showed alcohol content of over 1.2 parts per thousand, while the remainder were in the range of 0.5 to 1.2 parts per thousand.

Alcohol concentration of more than 1.2/1000 is punishable by jail terms of up to one year in Bulgaria. Concentration of 0.5 to 1.2 parts per thousand carries fines of 500 to 1,000 Bulgarian levs (EUR 250-500) and suspension of the driving licence for a period of six months to one year.

The traffic police operation also found 111 drivers sitting behind the wheel without a valid driving licence. The offence carries fines of 100 to 300 Bulgarian levs. Repeated offence is punishable by imprisonment of up to two years.