ETSC recommends alcohol interlocks in buses, lorries and vans

The European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) has recommended that alcohol interlocks be mandatory on all new buses, lorries, and vans in EU, and in cars used by individuals repeatedly convicted of drink-driving. These devices test the vehicle driver’s breath and prevent the vehicle from starting if the driver tests above the legal limit.

The recommendations come in a report issued last week, which found that drink-driving still caused more than 5,000 deaths each year in the EU.

The report also noted that France already requires all coaches to be fitted with alcohol interlock devices, as well as vehicles operated by repeat drink-driving offenders.

Last September, Austria instituted a programme giving individuals convicted of drink-driving the option to install an interlock if they wished to regain their driving privileges. Sweden, Poland, the Netherlands, Finland, Denmark, Belgium, and most US states have adopted similar programmes.

ETSC said that these programmes have been shown to be among the most effective steps in combatting drink-driving and should be adopted across the EU.

The report also described the excellent progress made by several EU countries, including Latvia, Estonia, and Denmark, where deaths caused by drink-driving have decreased quicker than other deaths on the roads.

Antonio Avenoso, Executive Director of ETSC, said: “High levels of enforcement are critical to solving Europe’s drink-driving problem. And for those drivers who carry on getting behind the wheel after drinking, despite checks and sanctions, alcohol interlocks are an important and effective way of getting people rehabilitated.”