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Belgian police to conduct extra checks for during Anti-Drunk Driving Weekend June 7-10

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- Federal and local police across Belgium announced that they are gearing up for an Anti-Drunk Driving Weekend with extra checks along motorways, provincial roads and motorway exits from June 7-10.

Last June’s campaign saw 32,000 drivers being stopped. About 2% of them, or 640 people, were cited or arrested for driving under the influence.

The Belgian police hope that announcing the checks in advance will make people think twice before getting behind the wheel after they had a drink. It could be working. In the summer of 2017, 3% of all drivers randomly stopped were cited or arrested for driving under the influence.

Belgium’s legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05%, which translates to just one or two beers with a moderate alcohol content. In 2017, more than 4,200 accidents in Belgium leading to death or injuries involved alcohol levels above the legal limit. That’s more than one in 10 of all accidents.

Please stay safe this weekend. Watch your limits and never get behind the wheel if you had too much to drink. If possible, plan ahead and designate a sober driver or call a taxi to get home safe.

Make sure to have a buddy system in place. Friends don't let friends drive drunk. Take the keys and never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired.

For more information, contact the Army Substance Abuse Program.

Submission by Army Substance Abuse Program