Nearly every driver is dealt with at some time or another. alcohol and drug control. It is the DGT’s way of ensuring safety and helping to expel these substances from the roads, since it is the cause of a quarter of accidents. However, on many occasions, the police presence causes nervousness in people even if they have not broken the law. So today we are going to try to clarify how these controls work and how to act in case you meet one.
Normally these controls are of a preventive nature and are made in safe areas. The Civil Guard is in charge of selecting a place where one or several vehicles can be parked while the controls are carried out. When approaching the control, the driver has to slow down the speed and be aware of the instructions of the agents. Do not forget that skipping a control is a crime of disobedience to which others could be added in case of escaping at high speeds or bypassing more prohibitions.
The agents have been trained and have experience in detecting symptoms of impaired driving or suspicious attitudes, in which case the pertinent investigation will be carried out. alcohol control, which consists of two parts. In the first, the agent gives the driver a sealed mouthpiece that must be placed in the breathalyser to blow through it. There is no way to fool the device, so it is better to blow maintaining the same air flow for a while as indicated. Otherwise, you can fall back into the crime of disobedience.
If a negative result is given, what would less than 0.25 mg/l in air for most drivers (with a few exceptions), the driver would be able to keep going. If it is positive, the second phase of the control will be activated. In that case, you must wait about 20 minutes to perform a second confirmation test. This test is more precise and with a device certified by the National Institute of Metrology, which is why it is usually done in the crowded van, already outside the user’s vehicle.
If during the control the driver shows symptoms of being under the influence of other substances, either due to his coordination or difficulty speaking, it could also be take the drug test. In this case, the driver has to collect a saliva sample in a special capsule that is later inserted into a device for analysis. If the test is positive, a test of confirmation in a laboratory. With this second test, it would be possible to identify what substance the driver has taken and proceed to sanction him.
It must be said that fines for alcohol and drugs are important, since they are considered serious. For alcohol levels between 0.25-0.50 mg/l the fine is 500 euros and 4 points, but whoever exceeds 0.50 mg/l will have to pay 1,000 euros and subtract 6 points. That same sanction is the one that falls for drugs, regardless of the substance and the amount that is in the organism. Therefore, before a control, it is best to remain calm and follow the guidelines of the agents. And when driving, avoid alcohol and drugs, which can multiply the risk of an accident almost exponentially.
