With Europe having the highest consumption of alcohol per capita in the world, and driving under the influence being the cause of 25% of road deaths, EU countries are both employing more stringent testing of drivers, as well as increasing penalties for driving under the influence.

Italy has become the first country to make it mandatory to install an alcohol detection device (alcolock*) in the vehicles of drivers convicted of drink-driving.

In addition to Italy, countries such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Lithuania, and Finland have already implemented alcohol detection programmes.

Research indicates that around 6,500 lives could be saved each year in the EU if all drivers followed the law and avoided driving after drinking alcohol.

(*An “alcolock” is an ignition interlock device that connects to a vehicle’s ignition to prevent it from starting if the driver has consumed too much alcohol. The driver must provide a breath sample into the device, and if the alcohol level is above a predetermined limit, the car’s engine will remain locked.)