The French penal response to driving under influence (of alcohol or other drugs)

This issue of Tendances examines law enforcement on driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, reviewing the most recent trends in road traffic controls and driving under the influence enforcement, as well as the criminal justice system response to these specific alcohol and drug issues.

The analysis reveals a conspicuous intensification in roadside traffic controls and arrests as well as an obvious standardisation in the penalties applied to offenders, with higher proportions of fines.

In the French context of increased convictions for crimes and offences (+11% since 2000), the penal response rate has particularly risen for both drug-related offences (over 50 000 convictions per year, or an increase of 119%, and of these convictions, nearly 60% were for use, mainly cannabis use) and road traffic offences (240 000 convictions per year, up 35%, and six in 10 of these convictions were for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics).

Publication type
Tendances
No.
91
Publication date
Language
French
English
Author(s)
OBRADOVIC
Ivana
Edited by
OFDT
Number of pages
6
Products & addictions
Alcohol
Cannabis
Cocaine and crack
Heroin and opioids
MDMA/ecstasy and amphetamine
Themes
Penal response
Specific population(s)
Adults
Territories
France