In just two years, the number of drunk drivers charged has dropped significantly. This also means that far fewer cars are seized and ultimately confiscated.
Since the stricter traffic laws came into effect in March 2021, the number of charges for reckless driving and thus reckless drivers has decreased significantly. The police point to harsher penalties and increased control.
The number of charges for reckless driving shows a significant decrease. In 2023, 876 charges were filed against drivers for reckless driving. This is a decrease of almost a third compared to the previous year.
This is what Jyllands-Posten writes.
In 2022, the number stood at 1299 charges. The year 2022 was the first full calendar year in which the new, stricter legislation was in effect.
The decrease comes after the introduction of stricter rules in the Danish Road Traffic Act. The new rules came into effect in March 2021.
The change in the law means that reckless drivers can be punished more severely than before. This applies, for example, to penalties for negligent homicide and negligent bodily harm. It also applies to intentionally endangering the life or safety of others.
An important part of the legislative package is also expanded possibilities for the police. The police can now more easily seize cars used in speeding.
Most men are charged with insanity
It's not just the owner of the car who risks losing it. A car can be seized even if the driver has borrowed or rented it. That risk plays a role, the police believe.
The National Police points to several reasons for the decrease in charges. Spokesperson and police assistant Christian Berthelsen mentions both the police's control efforts and citizens' awareness of the law.
"It's a harsh punishment, and a big drop in the number of charges," Christian Berthelsen tells Jyllands-Posten. He emphasizes that many factors come into play.
From the law's entry into force in March 2021 to October 2024, a total of 3,965 charges of reckless driving were filed. This was shown by figures reported by TV 2 last year.
The statistics also show a decrease in charges of reckless driving that resulted in an accident. In 2023, there were 163 such cases, compared to 217 the year before, according to DR.
Consequences of insanity: Tougher penalties… maybe?
The figures from TV 2 also showed a clear gender distribution. Nine out of ten charges of insanity were brought against men during the period.
More than one in four charges involved a foreign national. The five most frequent nationalities were Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Ukraine.
However, it is important to note that Danish citizens made up the majority of the total number of charges.
The stricter rules cover various types of offenses, including drink-driving with a high blood alcohol level and particularly serious speeding.
The significant decrease in charges suggests that the stricter rules and consequences have had an effect on driver behavior.
At Boosted.dk you can read a lot more about traffic rules, also when it comes to speeding. Because even though the law seems to be working, several politicians are still talking about tightening it up. Read more about it here .
