Ministry of the Interior: Fewer Drunk Drivers, but More Drug Drivers

The Ministry of the Interior reported this balance on Sunday, noting an overall positive trend and attributing it to the numerous police focus checks. Due to alcohol at the wheel, there were 13,662 reports in the first six months compared to 13,951 in the corresponding period of 2024 (a decrease of 2.1 percent).

This continued a trend in a weakened form that was already noticeable in the previous year. In 2024, there were 28,867 reports due to alcohol at the wheel, 5.9 percent less than in 2023 (30,683 reports). For drug-impaired drivers, there was a slight increase in the first half of 2025 with 4,295 reports, up 0.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024 (4,283 reports). Compared to 2023, there was a decrease of 5.2 percent in this category in the previous year (8,227 reports after 8,676 the year before).

"Focus on Events or Concerts"

According to the Ministry of the Interior, the number of reports due to drug impairment at the wheel has increased eightfold in the past ten years. This was made possible through focus actions with doctors and the ability to medically substantiate drug impairment on site. "Particularly relevant are focus settings in the context of events or concerts, but also during grid searches," said the Ministry of the Interior.

According to its own statements, the ministry also relies on prevention and awareness-raising, which are essential factors in preventing accidents. Not least for this reason, there have been "intensive training measures for police officers to recognize impairment symptoms due to narcotics" for several years. Additionally, the "cooperation with official doctors in focus actions has been intensified and the technical inspection possibilities improved."

"Protecting people is the mission of the police. Therefore, drug and drunk drivers, as well as life-threatening speeders, are consistently removed from traffic - that is the goal of the control measures," commented Interior Minister Gerhard Karner (ÖVP) on the balance.

(APA/Red)

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