Portugal’s traffic police have been as busy as ever catching drunk drivers and those who think it acceptable to zoom around while using their mobile phones.
This year so far, GNR officers have stopped more than 27,000 drivers for using mobiles, 2,000 were caught in the Algarve region.
From December 4th the police have been at the nation’s roadsides in a concentrated effort to stop drivers using their phones.
As for driving when over the alcohol limit, Portugal’s drivers seem oblivious to the danger to themselves and other road users with almost 27,000 drivers caught so far this year, 2,978 of them in the Algarve.
The police have given about 1.2 million breathaliser tests this year and have plenty more kits on hand over the festive season.
A staggering 37% of these drunk drivers had readings high enough to classify their driving as a criminal act.
The drunk-driving total is 2,000 more than in 2014, a sad reflection on the lack of intelligence of many motorists. From today the Christmas drink-drive purge is on and most drivers pulled over can expect to be breathalised.
Operation Tispol is Europe-wide and is targeting those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. The operation will take place in all European countries until Sunday night and the Portuguese police say they have no problem in targeting places and areas where they know people are more likely to have been drinking or taking drugs before driving.
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