Licence suspension ineffective against hardcore drunk drivers

Traditional measures like license suspension have little effect on hardcore drunk drivers, according to a SWOV report tilted Serious alcohol offenders in traffic. In many cases, these offenders just get back on the road without a license, ANP reports. The Netherlands has between 90 thousand and 125 thousand of these severe alcohol offenders on the road. You qualify as a severe offender if you are caught driving with 1.3 per mil or higher. This group is responsible for two thirds of all serious alcohol related accidents. That translates to between 50 and 95 deaths per year. According to the report, measures to combat the problem of severe alcohol offenders should be focused on preventing drunk driving. The alcohol-lock was a good way to do this, but it is falling out of use. The SWOV calls for intensive counseling and treatment tailored to help offenders beat their alcohol addiction. An alternative is a cheaper alcohol lock on offenders' cars.