As of June, police identified 1,203 positive DUI drivers with more than 0.75 grams of alcohol in their systems, according to the Ministry of Public Transports.

These drivers committed the "A-Level" fine. They were arrested and their vehicles were impounded. Drivers also have to pay a fine of approximately $500, plus take a penalty of 6 points on their driving record.

When a driver is penalized with 6 points on their driving record, their driver's license is suspended. They are forced to retake the driving course and score a minimum of 80 points out of 100 to renew their driver’s licenses.

 

Also, police stopped and fined another 165 drivers with blood alcohol results between 0.20 and 0.75 grams. They were not arrested but must pay the same $500 fine plus the penalty of 6 points on their driving record.

 

A total of 187 drivers tested with a very low blood-alcohol level. They did not receive any sanction.

As of June, police applied over 9,000 DUI tests, authorities said.

According to the ministry, the money generated with the payment of the fines is used to cover the Traffic Police expenses, road safety campaign expenses, traffic sign maintenance and Red Cross aid among others.

As of June, Traffic Police reported 237 traffic accident deaths, this was 39 more than the deaths reported in the same period in 2021.

Also in June, over 7,900 drivers were fined for not using safety devices.

Police targeted more than 18,000 people who received a fine for reckless driving, such as failing to stop at a red light, wrongful parking, speeding and carrying children without the proper safety devices, among others.

Last year, more than 300 people died in traffic accidents. 

The Road Safety Council, the public organization in charge of registering fines for infractions of the Traffic Law, has set up a line (in the Spanish language) to allow inquiries about penalized points on the driver's license.

Traffic Police officers urge people to report suspects of speeding to the police by dialing the 911 emergency line.

                           

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