Friuli Venezia Giulia: campaign to prevent drunk and drug-driving.

A national project

Even in the summer of 2024, the Traffic Police will accompany the journey of those who will take advantage of the beautiful season to visit the many beautiful Italian tourist locations. The 2024 edition of the road safety campaign started from San Teodoro in Sardinia and Reggio Calabria “And…stay with us”.

On summer weekends when the traffic flow of holidaymakers intensifies, the Traffic Police will be present on the nightlife roads, with numerous control devices and with intense proximity action to combat risky driving behaviour. All the technologies in use at the Specialty will be implemented such as breathalyzers and latest generation drug precursors, street control for the automatic control of the lack of inspection or insurance of the vehicle and the police controller, for the verification of the black boxes of heavy vehicles.

Furthermore, thanks to the collaboration of the ANIA Foundation and Autostrade Alto Adriatico, the mobile forensic laboratory will also be used to ascertain on the road the state of psychophysical alteration due to drug intake through second level analyzes carried out directly on site by doctors and laboratory technicians . The salivary biological matrix will be used.

At the same time, to strengthen the action to combat risky driving behaviour, particular attention will also be paid to local activities aimed at promoting the culture of legality and respect for the rules of the highway code, raising awareness among users of responsible and prudent, to stem the phenomenon of road accidents which continues to claim victims especially among young people up to 24 years of age.

Until September 15th the women and men of the Traffic Police, on board particularly representative vehicles such as the iconic Lamborghini Huracan Pullman Azzurro, will travel all over the country reaching the main tourist locations.

Our region was also involved in this important safety initiative last weekend.

In our region

On Friday 5 July the “Rose Park” in Grado it was the magnificent theatre in which the Highway Police spoke to the citizens about road safety, showing them the very dangerous effects of the use of alcohol while driving and showing the tourists, who expressed great interest, the technologies and operational means with which the Highway Police carries out checks and ascertains violations.

The following day, the itinerant road safety caravan then moved to Lignano Sabbiadoro and in particular to the town of Pineta, to replicate the awareness and legality action also in the seaside town of Friuli. In addition to the modern technologies for the detection of the most serious violations of road safety, the Pullman Azzurro was also exhibited, a real multimedia classroom capable of making people perceive the risks of road traffic and increasing awareness in road users and the Lamborghini Huracan, a 640 horsepower supercar; an aggressive car but with a good heart, intended above all for the transport of organs for their transplantation in people who need them.

Autostrade Altro Adriatico was also present with service vehicles that patrol the motorways, true guardian angels who reach motorway users in difficulty.

Operational results

As anticipated, the awareness-raising action was associated, on Friday and Saturday nights, with intense checks to ascertain the psychophysical conditions of the drivers at the seaside resort of Sistiana and at the Latisana motorway barrier.

A total of 7 patrols from the Highway Police of Trieste, Gorizia and Udine and a Canine Unit from the Guardia di Finanza were involved in the two services to combat driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

Drivers tested with breathalyzers: 165 of which 7 positive

· 1 art 186 bis cds for a new male driver with a proven value of 0,47 g of alcohol per liter of blood;

· 2 art. 186 lett. a) CDS for male drivers with a blood alcohol concentration not exceeding 0,8 g. of alcohol per liter of blood;

· 4 art. 186 lett. b) CDS for 4 male drivers with a blood alcohol concentration not exceeding 1,5 g of alcohol per liter of blood;

Drivers checked with drogometers: 62 of which 4 positive

The presence of narcotic substance in the salivary fluid was found on the drivers and they were then subjected to a medical examination by Forensic Lab personnel appointed as auxiliary of the Judicial Police with these specific results:

· 3 male drivers reported to the Judicial Authority for violation of art. 187 cds as they were considered altered by the intake of THC / Cannabinoids

· 1 male driver reported to the Judicial Authority for violation of art. 187 cds as he was considered impaired by the intake of THC and Cocaine.

Licenses withdrawn: 11

Points deducted: 120

Vehicles seized: 3

Other infractions: 5

Special situations and budget

During the operational activity, it was possible to observe, especially with regard to the travel of young people, a large use of taxis and the presence of parents returning with their children to their homes was not infrequently noted. The checks at the Latisana motorway barrier highlighted a complex operational reality.

It should be noted that, during an inspection, a male driver, positive on the breathalyzer and on the drogometer for THC intake, thanks to the sniffing of the dogs of the Guardia di Finanza Dog Units, was found in possession of more than 14 grams of marijuana.