Study questions whether a zero-tolerance ban on alcohol and drugs improves road safety
Research by the traffic-safety institute SWOV finds that a total ban on alcohol and drugs could raise safety modestly but would demand far more enforcement effort, potentially undermining its purpose.
The Institute for Scientific Traffic Safety (SWOV) evaluated the impact of imposing a complete prohibition on alcohol and drugs behind the wheel, drawing on experiences from Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Norway and six other nations. Researchers interviewed police officers and surveyed 46 traffic-law officials, finding that a zero-tolerance rule offers a straightforward standard that could reduce arguments over marginal consumption.
However, enforcing such a rule would mean stopping many more drivers and conducting time-consuming blood analyses after an initial breath test, potentially reducing the overall number of checks. The report highlights that while alcohol risk rises noticeably above 0.2 ‰, the effect of small amounts of cannabis on driving remains unclear, and drug metabolites may stay detectable long after any impairment. Policymakers would need to decide whether to prioritize the presence of substances or proven influence on driving ability.
Why it matters
A zero-tolerance policy could reshape traffic law enforcement and affect driver rights across Europe.
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