If you drink, don't drive. But what if you take illegal drugs?
Spain at the top of a European survey of substance-related traffic offenses
The results of a new EU study on driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol and medicines (DRUID) places Spain at the top of the list for drug-related traffic offenses. The study found that nearly double the number of drivers take the wheel in Spain after taking illegal drugs or medicines that can affect performance (10.9 percent) than those who drink (6.6 percent, and 2.3 percent if you only take into account those over the legal limit).
The sobering results of the study, which were released to the DGT road-safety department in December, come on the heels of upbeat government statistics that saw Spain's annual road fatalities fall below 1,500 victims in 2011 for the first time in 50 years.
It seems that while Spaniards have generally learned not to drink and drive, they are less hesitant to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs. The prevalence of illegal drug use among drivers - especially of the most common substances, cocaine and marijuana - is very similar to the National Drug Agency's statistics on consumption.
The EU study was carried out between 2009 and 2010, and was based on random checks of 3,500 drivers in Spain.
