At the wheel with alcohol or drugs during carnival

An increased number of traffic checks were carried out during this year's carnival season. A total of 151 drivers were charged due to being unfit to drive.

During the Carnival season, the Central Switzerland police corps increased the number of checks for the roadworthiness of drivers and are now taking stock. The corresponding media release states that, from a total of 4,300 checked drivers, 151 were charged. The level of fitness to drive at this year's carnival was thereby more than 96%.

The results compared to last year's carnival:

• The driving licences of 62 people were immediately suspended at this carnival. The corresponding number was 83 last year.
• A total of 86 drivers were prevented from driving further, which is eight more than during last year's carnival season.
• More drivers who are subject to the ban on driving under the influence of any alcohol (i.e., must be under 0.1 per mil) were found to be driving after consuming alcohol during this year's carnival season. 19 people in this classification were found to have an alcohol level of 0.1 per mil or more. This compares to 13 people last year.
• There was also an increase in the incapacity to drive due to alcohol in people who are not completely prohibited from driving under the influence of alcohol (i.e. must be under 0.5 per mil). This was the case for 92 people, 11 more than last year. Of these, an alcohol concentration of 0.8 per mil or more was measured in 60 people.
• The Central Switzerland Police Corps also found that 32 people were driving a vehicle under the influence of drugs during this year's carnival season, four fewer than in the previous year.
• Three people were considered to be unfit to drive due to use of medication, and who were nevertheless driving. There were two last year.
• Five drivers who were overtired. That’s one more person than during the last carnival.