Finland marks 100 years since criminalization of drunk driving
Finland today commemorates a century since drunk driving was made a punishable offense, with the law coming into effect on 1 July 1926. The country’s first recorded case of drunk driving dates back to 1907, when an intoxicated driver in Helsinki collided with a lamppost and sustained injuries (Ilta-Sanomat).
In the early years, authorities relied on observational assessments to determine intoxication, as there were no fixed blood alcohol limits. This changed in 1977, when Finland introduced precise thresholds: 0.5 per mille for basic drunk driving and 1.5 per mille for aggravated drunk driving. The limit for aggravated drunk driving has since been lowered to 1.2 per mille, while Finland maintains a zero-tolerance policy for drugs in traffic (Yle; Ilta-Sanomat).
Despite progress in reducing drunk driving fatalities, the issue remains a significant concern. Ilta-Sanomat reports that nearly 40 percent of fatal motor vehicle accidents still involve an intoxicated driver. Yle adds that around 60 people die annually in such accidents, with cases involving the combined use of alcohol and drugs becoming more common since the turn of the millennium.
Marja Pakarinen, Head of Research at Liikenneturva, emphasized in a press release that drunk driving is a complex issue affecting a broad range of individuals. "For some, it is a problem tied to driving fitness, such as substance dependence, which requires treatment. There is a need for better intervention and the courage to act," she stated. Pakarinen also called for stronger measures to promote traffic sobriety, including the expanded use of alcohol interlocks (Ilta-Sanomat).
