20 percent increase
The number of drivers who have to surrender their driving license after being caught twice for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol has increased significantly in recent years. From 2019 to now, the number has increased by 20 percent. This is confirmed by the Public Prosecution Service after EenVandaag requested figures on this.
In 2024, 1538 drivers had to surrender their driving license because they were caught for the second time in five years with a significant amount of alcohol or drugs behind the wheel. In 2019, 1280 people lost their driving license for this reason. The drivers had an alcohol level of at least 1.3, or more than a threshold amount of drugs that differs per type. At a blood alcohol content of 1, the chance of an accident is increased four times, at 1.5 twenty times higher, according to the Jellinek knowledge center.
Between 2020 and 2022, the figures for the number of people who made the mistake for the second time were lower (1068, 1038 and 1171 respectively). According to the Public Prosecution Service, this was because fewer sessions took place due to corona and therefore fewer cases became irrevocable.
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