The republican campaign "Sobriety is the norm on the roads!" is taking place in the Vitebsk region until March 30

Drunk driving frequently leads to road accidents. Unfortunately, some people still believe that they can drive after consuming a small amount of alcohol. However, it is precisely in a state of mild intoxication, due to overconfidence, that the largest number of accidents occur.

It has been established that after consuming 75 g of pure alcohol (ethanol), drivers' overall reaction time increases by 2-2.5 times; with 100 g – by 2-4 times; 140 g – by 3-5 times or more; 165 g – by 6-9 times. Even 5 ml of alcohol reduces the ability to orient oneself by almost a quarter, which affects the accuracy of visual estimation. Studies have shown that the probability of an accident for drivers with a blood alcohol content of 0.3-0.9 permille is 7 times higher than for sober drivers. And this probability increases further.

In 2013, drunk drivers caused 70 road accidents, in which 20 people died and 80 were injured. Over 5,000 drivers in the region were deprived of their licenses for driving under the influence of alcohol, and over 610 drunk drivers were detained during this year. 439 drivers drove again while intoxicated, 107 of whom were in Vitebsk.

This is despite the fact that, according to the law, driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotic, psychotropic, toxic substances or their analogues, transferring the right to drive to a person in such a state, as well as refusing to undergo examination, is punishable by a fine of 6.5 to 13 million rubles (50 to 100 basic units) and revocation of driving licenses for 3 years.

In case of a repeated detention, a criminal case is initiated, and the vehicle driven by the offender is subject to confiscation, regardless of the ownership right.

The relevance of the problem does not decrease, despite all the preventive measures taken by the traffic police. One of the reasons is people's indifference. After all, few people can stand in the way of a tipsy driver and prevent a possible tragedy on the road.

Intoxicated pedestrians, who are potential victims of being hit by vehicles, cause no less trouble.

Dear citizens! Show your civic stance, human compassion, and call the police at 102 if you see a drunk pedestrian near the roadway or a drunk driver getting behind the wheel of a car. Do not turn away from this problem.

Ekaterina Knyazeva, "Vitebskiye Vesti"