Summer is in the country and the urge to pop guarantees numerous festivals, garden parties and terraces. An ideal moment to meet friends, but also to remind you that hitting the road after a glass or joint is not so innocent. In Brussels, alcohol and/or drugs play a role in 11% of accidents with seriously injured or deceased victims. In its new campaign against drink-driving, Brussels Mobility refers to successful action films from the 80s and 90s in which the heroes never abandon each other.
Almost half of the inhabitants of Brussels (44%) admit that they occasionally travel under the influence of alcohol, regardless of the mode of transport. One in five even claim to do this regularly. It is also striking that 3,8% of young people say they regularly drive under the influence of cannabis or nitrous oxide. This problem arises for all means of displacement. Of the inhabitants of Brussels who admitted to having driven under the influence of alcohol, drugs or nitrous oxide, 1 in 2 drove a car, 1 in 3 by bicycle and 1 in 10 by e-step. These disturbing findings are driving Brussels Mobility to tackle drink-driving in all its forms.
"In Brussels, we are going for vision zero, or zero road casualties. Alcohol and drugs in traffic are therefore absolutely unacceptable. It is essential to continue to raise awareness about this. When you go on the road, you need all your attention. Under The influence of drugs and alcohol makes you, even without wanting it, a danger to yourself and others."
Awareness raising ...
With a nod to successful action films from the 80s and 90s, Brussels Mobility makes it clear in its new campaign that friends never abandon each other and take care of each other, even during a night out.
Because 27% of seriously injured and killed road traffic victims are between the ages of 18 and 30, the campaign is primarily aimed at this age group. This means that the campaign takes place mainly online and on posters in popular Brussels nightlife areas and at festivals. On the campaign website There are tips according to the condition of the friends, ranging from "slightly tipsy" to "good in the wind" to "laddersat".
It is best to organize the return journey at the beginning of the evening, when everyone is still clear: public transport or a taxi, spend the night on site or indicate a Bob. The e-step and the bicycle are not a solution: those who drive under the influence are a danger to themselves and others, regardless of the means of transport.
… and control
The risk of a serious accident already increases from 1 glass of alcohol and is multiplied by 200 when using a lot of alcohol or the combination of alcohol and drugs. Nevertheless, the number of offenses for driving under the influence of alcohol, but especially drugs, continues to increase in the Brussels-Capital Region, especially during festive periods.This is also apparent from the results of the checks carried out in the context of the winter Bob campaigns.
In Brussels, there is a zero tolerance for driving under the influence of drugs: the immediate collection is not applied but the driving license is immediately revoked and the offender is summoned to a police judge. Drugs can be detected hours to days after use with a saliva test. The penalties are strict and even more severe for young drivers, repeat offenders and accidents involving physical damage.
