Man in Zundert caught driving eight times over legal alcohol limit
A 40-year-old driver from Zundert was stopped by police at around 8 p.m. on Sunday after registering an alcohol level of 1,750 µg/L in a breath test, far above the legal limit of 220 µg/L, according to Omroep Brabant. His license was revoked, and he faces a formal charge. The incident has also been reported to the CBR, the Dutch authority responsible for driver licensing.
After receiving a report of a man swerving on the road, police found the car stopped on the Stouwdreef in Klein-Zundert, with the driver still inside. It was immediately clear that he was severely inebriated, and he was taken to the police station for a thorough alcohol test, which showed the 1,750 µg/L result, around eight times over the legal limit. Police noted on social media that it was “an exceptionally high score.” For context, the legal limit of 220 µg/L corresponds roughly to the effect of two glasses of alcohol.
His breathalyzer results showed a blood alcohol level that was even 30 percent worse than what police in Den Helder called “the highest result of the year” during a traffic stop less than two weeks ago.
Police in the Noord-Holland municipality said a 37-year-old woman’s breath test showed 1,340 micrograms of alcohol per liter, or about 0.29 grams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
Alcohol levels are measured at the police station using a breathalyzer. The test follows strict legal protocols, including a 20-minute waiting period after the initial test and the use of certified equipment.
The man’s eventual punishment will be decided by the prosecutor or the judge, taking into account the circumstances of the case and whether he has any prior offenses. Potential penalties include a fine or community service, a suspension of driving privileges, often up to six months for a first offense, or an alcohol and traffic education course.
Under the Dutch Road Traffic Act (WVW), the police can take away a driver’s license if an experienced driver, someone who has held a license for more than five years, has a breath alcohol level of 570 µg/L or higher. For new drivers with less than five years of experience, the limit is 350 µg/L.
