30 years of penal response to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
In a glimpse, OFDT, 2 p.
January 2024
An overview of the criminal justice responses to offences related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs since the 1990s.
Driving under the influence: screenings, offences, and criminal proceedings
Following an initial review carried out by the OFDT in 2013, the issue of Tendances takes a new look at the penal responses to offences related to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs since the 1990s. Based on secondary analysis of data produced by the Home Affairs Ministry and the Ministry of Justice, the aim is to study changes in the number of tests carried out and in the number of driving offences involving the use of alcohol or drugs, as well as the nature of the criminal justice response.
Increase in the number of tests carried out, high penal response rate
The analysis shows an increase in the number of tests carried out by the police and the gendarmerie for both alcohol and drugs. The response to these two offences is identical: a high penal response rate, mainly in the form of prosecutions, significant use of fast-track and simplified procedures (the majority of which are penal orders “ordonnance pénale”) and diversification of penalties, with increasing use of fines and alternative sentences, to the detriment of suspended prison sentences.
Download In a glimpse, 30 years of penal response to driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs (289 Ko, 2p.)
Drugs in Europe
2023 EMCDDA European Drug Report
The European Drug Report 2023: Trends and Developments presents the EMCDDA’s latest analysis of the drug situation in Europe. Focusing on illicit drug use, related harms and drug supply, the report contains a comprehensive set of national data across these themes and key harm-reduction interventions. This report is based on information provided to the EMCDDA by the EU Member States, the candidate country Türkiye, and Norway, in an annual reporting process.
The annual Statistical Bulletin contains the most recent available data on the drug situation in Europe provided by the Member States. These datasets underpin the analysis presented in the European Drug Report. All data may be viewed interactively on screen and downloaded in Excel format.
The European Union and the drug phenomenon
The European Union & the drug phenomenon : Frequently asked questions, joint publication between the EMCDDA and the European Commission, october 2010, 12 p.
