During the Christmas-New Year holidays all road users are again warned of the tragic consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol. Preventive campaigns and the activities of the police and other institutions during the December festive season were presented at a press conference on 18 December 2009. December is the month in which most accidents involving alcohol occur.
Press conference participants: Ivan Kapun, Head of the Traffic Police Sector and Janez Ogulin, Head of the General Police Department, both from the General Police Directorate; Mateja Markl, representative of the Road Safety Council at the Slovenian Roads Agency and Saš Kravos, initiator of the "Party with your Head" foundation and president of its programme council.
Police recommendations:
- Drive only when sober! If you drink alcoholic beverages, do not drive.
- When you drink alcoholic beverages, get a ride with somebody who has not been drinking or use public transport.
- Strictly observe other traffic rules, in particular those on speed, priority, overtaking, use of seatbelts and mobile phones, and safe distance.
December is the month with the highest number of traffic accidents involving alcohol. The Head of the Traffic Police Division at the General Police Directorate, Ivan Kapun, said that police officers all over Slovenia exercise stricter control over the mental and physical fitness of drivers as part of an inter-ministerial campaign "Alcohol kills - usually the innocent". In the coming weekends, control will be further intensified because we want to let drivers know that alcohol in road traffic is unwelcome and completely unacceptable.
Ivan Kapun
Strict controls will be exercised until the end of December, in particular near pubs, bars, discos, night clubs and other places associated with this issue; vehicles with drivers who do not observe the law and ignore warnings related to driving while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or psychoactive substances will be removed from traffic.
Janez Ogulin
The Head of the General Police Department at the General Police Directorate, Janez Ogulin, said that the police also carry out strict control over compliance with the provisions of the Act Restricting the Use of Alcohol, i.e., selling alcohol to minors and inebriated individuals, especially in pubs and bars. He called on all organisers of public events and owners of bars and restaurants to be careful when selling alcoholic drinks and to adhere to the provisions of the Act Restricting the Use of Alcohol, since some of their guests will drive after leaving the premises.
Mateja Markl
The representative of the Road Safety Council at the Slovenian Roads Agency, Mateja Markl, underlined the importance of preventive activities and presented a media campaign Alcohol kills, usually the innocent.
Saš Kravos
Saš Kravos, initiator of the "Party with your Head" foundation and president of its programme council, spoke of the detrimental and dangerous influence of alcohol on driving abilities. Kravos regretted that people in Slovenia drink too much alcohol and said that it was time to start talking about that problem. The key message to young people, the foundation's target group, is that it is possible to have fun without alcohol, tobacco or drugs.