Fewer drink-driving cases detected in summer checks, police report

Finnish police recorded fewer drink-driving offences during this summer’s enhanced traffic checks, despite conducting more breath tests than last year, according to a police statement.

The intensified surveillance targeting alcohol, drugs, and other factors impairing driving ability ran from late June to late July. Officers performed over 117,000 breath tests—17% more than in 2025—but logged 1,609 traffic offences, nearly 7% fewer than the previous year.

Serious drink-driving cases dropped by 10%, and the share of positive drug quick tests fell from 29% to 25%. Police Inspector Heikki Ihalainen credited precision breathalysers used in patrol cars and boats for aiding enforcement.

A new concern emerged: drunk driving on electric scooters, particularly among young riders. Incidents rose by about 40% compared to the last monitoring period.