Drunk driver with 3.4 per mille stopped in rush hour traffic on Usedom!

Drunk driver with 3.4 per mille stopped in rush hour traffic on Usedom!

Yesterday, Thursday, an incident occurred on the Baltic Sea island of Usedom that once again illustrated the dangers of drunk driving. A 54-year-old van driver, who comes from the Anklam area, was observed by a passer-by who noticed that he was moving towards his vehicle and that he clearly smelled of alcohol. The alert citizen then called the police, who stopped the driver in rush hour traffic in Zempin around 4:30 p.m.

During an alcohol measurement, the police found an alarming level of 3.4 per mille. This high value is not only frightening, but also shows how dangerous such situations are for all road users. Problems arise from just 0.5 per mille, which significantly increase the risk of accidents, as ADAC explains. In 2023, a total of 18,884 people were injured in alcohol-related accidents in Germany, and 198 people lost their lives. One in 14 traffic deaths was alcohol-related.

Extremely uncooperative and legal consequences

Despite the clear evidence, the driver was “extremely uncooperative” with the officers. His driver's license was confiscated and he now faces criminal charges for drunk driving and resisting law enforcement officers. Such incidents are particularly concerning as they endanger not only one's own health but also the lives of others.

Alcohol has a direct effect on a driver's concentration, perception and willingness to take risks. Values ​​from 0.2 per mille already influence movement coordination, while from 3.0 per mille there is an acute danger to life due to severe alcohol poisoning. The incident on Usedom impressively shows how quickly the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol can become real.

Facts and figures about alcohol-related accidents

Statistics from the Federal Statistical Office show that the number of alcohol-related accidents resulting in personal injury has fallen by around 70 percent since 1975. However, the issue still remains a serious problem. In the case of drunken traffic accidents, the 2023 surveys found that 72 percent of the car drivers involved had an alcohol level of more than 1.1 per mille.

It has also been clearly shown that the combination of alcohol and medication is particularly dangerous. The effects of alcohol can vary depending on various factors such as health, age and habituation. It is therefore essential to handle your own consumption responsibly and strictly avoid driving under the influence.

The incident on Usedom reminds us of the importance of road safety and the responsibility that each individual bears in road traffic. Keeping a cool head and consuming alcoholic beverages responsibly is not only important for your own safety, but also for that of those around you.