Andorra Police Launch Week-Long Alcohol and Drug Roadside Checks
Authorities aim to deter impaired driving through intensified inspections, with strict limits and penalties varying by driver type and test results. This marks the third campaign this year.
Key Points
- Checks run Oct 12-18 across all roads, targeting all vehicle types including cyclists and scooters.
- Non-pro drivers: criminal limit 0.87g/l blood alcohol (detention); pros 0.57g/l.
- Penalties include €300-€6,000 fines, up to 2 years prison, licence revocation up to 4 years.
- Refusal or drug offences treated as misdemeanours with arrest and similar sanctions.
Andorra's police will intensify roadside checks for alcohol and drugs from Monday, October 12, to Sunday, October 18, targeting drivers of all vehicle types to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
The campaign, announced Thursday morning, will involve checks across the road network throughout the week. Police emphasized its deterrent effect in a statement, noting that non-professional drivers with a blood alcohol level of 0.87 or higher face detention, while the criminal threshold for professionals is 0.57.
Lower readings may still prompt action. Readings from 0.81 to 0.86 for non-professionals or 0.51 to 0.56 for professionals could result in fines or referral to the Batllia, depending on symptoms and context.
Administrative sanctions apply to non-professionals from 0.57 to 0.86 and professionals from 0.02 to 0.56. These include €400 fines and licence suspensions of up to two months. Breathalyser error margins do not apply to blood tests, where criminal limits are 0.80 for non-professionals and 0.50 for professionals.
Violating criminal thresholds carries steeper penalties. Non-professionals risk €300-€3,000 fines, up to one year in prison or arrest, and licence withdrawal for up to three years. Professionals face €1,200-€6,000 fines, two years in prison, licence revocation for up to four years, and professional disqualification for the same period.
Refusing a test leads to arrest. Driving under the influence of drugs is a misdemeanour with comparable penalties: up to one year in prison or arrest, €600-€3,000 fines (€1,200-€6,000 for professionals), and licence suspension up to three years (four for professionals).
Cyclists, scooter users, and personal mobility vehicle operators must comply and face identical administrative or criminal sanctions, including arrest for breaches over criminal limits.
This is the third such operation this year, proposed by police under the Ministry of Justice and Interior's plan. A three-week campaign is scheduled over Christmas.
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