785 drivers were stopped and breathalyzed over the weekend in the Reykjavík region—only three of them got in trouble.
99.6 percent of drivers stopped were not drugged or intoxicated and critics claim the random stops constitute a waste of police time.
However, the Reykjavík police told DV that the point of the operation is only partly to catch drunk or drugged drivers and mostly to draw everyone’s attention to the dangers of driving under the influence and the severity of the crime. The low number of arrests is actually very positive.
It was also hoped the campaign would promote better, safer driving overall.
Large crack-downs on drink driving in the festive period are nothing new and similar campaigns take place in countries around the world.
In addition to the three drivers who will face criminal proceedings and lose their driving licenses, two others were removed from their cars and had their keys confiscated until the following day. Icelandic police use this method fairly regularly on drivers who have been drinking but are below the legal criminal limit.
