Latvian authorities reported a concerning increase in impaired driving over the four-day Easter holiday period. Police recorded 55 drivers of cars and motorcycles operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, an increase of 11 compared to the same period last year.
Increased Enforcement in Jēkabpils and Aizkraukle Regions
The Jēkabpils area saw five drivers apprehended for driving under the influence. The most serious incident occurred in Kūkas, where a criminal process was initiated against a man born in 1993 who was driving a Scania truck with a blood alcohol content of 1.60 promille.
In Jēkabpils, a driver born in 1962 was found to be driving an Audi while intoxicated. Police also stopped a Volvo driver with 0.77 promille and an Opel driver, born in 1988, with 0.73 promille. Another impaired driver was apprehended in Sēlija. A dangerous situation unfolded in Sēlpils parish when a driver born in 1996 lost control of a Volkswagen, causing it to leave the road and overturn.
Aizkraukle also saw multiple arrests for impaired driving, including two drivers who were heavily intoxicated. A man born in 1966 was found driving with a blood alcohol content of 3.5 promille, and he did not have a valid driver’s license. Another driver, born in 1981, was driving a Volkswagen with 2.80 promille. Further arrests occurred in Pļaviņas and Iršos.
Traffic Accident and Emergency Responses
A serious traffic accident marred the holiday in Aizkraukle, where a driver of a Škoda, born in 1946, collided with cyclists who failed to yield. A minor child was injured in the accident and transported to a medical facility.
The State Fire and Rescue Service responded to only one call in the Jēkabpils area during the five-day period. A high-risk fire broke out on Jēkaba iela in Jēkabpils, where 1.5 hectares of last year’s grass and 100 square meters of waste burned. Fires involving hay bales and two cars were also reported in the Aizkraukle area. Nationwide, rescue services responded to a total of 408 calls during the Easter holiday.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the highest blood alcohol content recorded during the holiday?
The highest blood alcohol content recorded was 3.5 promille, found in a driver in the Aizkraukle region who was also driving without a valid license.
Where did the most serious traffic accident occur?
The serious traffic accident occurred in Aizkraukle, where a Škoda driver collided with cyclists, resulting in injuries to a minor child.
How many calls did the State Fire and Rescue Service respond to during the holiday?
The State Fire and Rescue Service responded to a total of 408 calls across Latvia during the Easter holiday period.
What steps can communities take to further reduce the incidence of impaired driving and ensure safer roads for all?
