Legal Affairs Committee considers making alcohol consumption following a traffic accident criminally punishable
The Legal Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu will debate during today’s session whether to amend the current Traffic Act to allow for the criminal punishment of drivers who consume drugs or alcohol immediately following a traffic accident, or if current penalties for doing so are enough.
According to current Estonian Penal Code, a driver consuming alcohol, narcotic or psychotropic substances immediately following a traffic accident cannot be criminally punished for doing so, which means that currently, a drunk or intoxicated driver causing an accident could claim that they only consumed alcohol or drugs after the accident had already occurred, reported ERR’s television news.
Current laws allow for the penalization of drivers consuming alcohol, narcotic or psychotropic substances following a traffic accident with a fine of up to 1,200 euros, arrest, or the suspension of their driver’s license for a period of up to 18 months.
Editor: Editor: Aili Sarapik