“Drunk drivers cause accidents – it is a really acute problem today. Last year, traffic accidents killed 241 people, 15 of which were caused by drivers under the influence of alcohol. This is significantly less than in 2014 where drunk drivers caused 49 fatalities, but we cannot stop halfway. To solve this problem, we will bring in the necessary legislation on the alcolock system and introduce rehabilitation programs for drunk drivers”, said Deputy Minister of Transport Saul Girdauskas.
The decision was taken after Girdauskas chaired a Transport department working group meeting on rehabilitation programs for intoxicated drivers and the use of alcohol interlock devices – as well as best practice and regulations in other European Union Member States.
The draft law should be ready by the end of March this year. The Ministry of Health together with the Drug, Tobacco and Alcohol Control Department will prepare a rehabilitation program for drivers who have been arrested while drunk driving and offenders will participate in the program on a voluntary basis.
The prepared draft legislation is scheduled for consideration in April. After the working group’s approval, amendments would be coordinated with the authorities and submitted for consideration to the Government and Parliament.
A proposal to finance the installation of alcohol interlock devices in ten school minibuses this year also been approved by the Lithuanian Road Administration, part of the Ministry of Communications.
Alfa.lt
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