ROMANIA ARGES COUNTY COUNCIL ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION – A CAUSE OF ROAD ACCIDENTS AER – Committee 2 – Alcohol Working Group - 24 th October 2007, Terceira, Portugal

e. Total number of roads 319, with an overall length of 3025 km: 12 state roads, with a total length of 570 km12 state roads, with a total length of 570 km 56 regional roads, with a total length of 1140 km56 regional roads, with a total length of 1140 km 251 country roads, with a total length of 1315 km251 country roads, with a total length of 1315 km f. Characteristics: In this region, the main traffic flows are from South to North and from East to WestIn this region, the main traffic flows are from South to North and from East to West 75% of the roads pass through city centers75% of the roads pass through city centers The number of cars increased by 25% during 2007The number of cars increased by 25% during 2007 Traffic increased by 60% due to the modernisation of two important state roads linking the South and the North of the countryTraffic increased by 60% due to the modernisation of two important state roads linking the South and the North of the country Biking remains very popular in countryside.Biking remains very popular in countryside.

Collecting Biological Samples for Alcohol Tests (according to Traffic Law) (according to Traffic Law) Biological samples are collected in certified ambulatory units or in forensic institutes. Biological samples are collected in certified ambulatory units or in forensic institutes. Biological samples are only collected in the presence of a police officer. Biological samples are only collected in the presence of a police officer. In order to estimate alcohol levels, two different biological samples are collected with a time interval of one hour between the samples. In order to estimate alcohol levels, two different biological samples are collected with a time interval of one hour between the samples. The second blood sample aims at calculating as precisely as possible the levels of alcohol concentration in the blood at the moment of the accident. The second blood sample aims at calculating as precisely as possible the levels of alcohol concentration in the blood at the moment of the accident. In case the person refuses to give a second biological sample, the alcohol level is not calculated retroactively. The refusal is registered in the collection report. In case the person refuses to give a second biological sample, the alcohol level is not calculated retroactively. The refusal is registered in the collection report. Contradictory samples are kept in all cases. Contradictory samples are kept in all cases.

2.Driving a car or a tram on public roads while having an alcohol concentration level of more than 0,80 mg/L is punished by imprisonment for 1 to 5 years. If the person in question is: - a public transport driver on duty, - carrying hazardous goods or materials, - a driving instructor, the punishment is imprisonment for 2 to 7 years (art. 87 of the Traffic Code) Legal Provisions - Traffic Code (Law N. 49 /2006) About drink driving - 1. Drink driving is an offence and is punished by losing 9 to 20 points and the suspension of the driving license for 90 days.

A person suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol is subjected to an alcohol test: the test consists of breathing into a certified or probated technical device. (art. 185 of the Traffic Law) 4. Car or tram drivers are subjected to compulsory biological sample collections to estimate their alcohol concentration levels when: The first alcohol test indicates a 0,40 mg/L alcohol rate in the breath The car or animal-towed vehicle driver has had an accident causing injuries or the death of one or more people. The vehicle driver is transporting hazardous goods or materials (art. 185, 186, 187 of the Traffic Code)

Alcohol Tests Year 2006 Total of 838 tests, submitted to: 94% men amongst whom: -95,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/lL -4,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l 6% of women amongst whom: - 100% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l Year months Total of 586 tests, submitted to: 96% men amongst whom: - 97,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l - 2,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l 4,4% women amongst whom: - 95,5% had an alcohol level < 0,80 mg/l - 4,5% had an alcohol level > 0,80 mg/l

Total of 838 tests to: 456 ( 54% ) = drivers 170 ( 20% ) = bikers 215 ( 26% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers215 ( 26% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers Year 2006

Year months Total of 586 tests, submitted to: 157 ( 27% ) = Drivers157 ( 27% ) = Drivers 205 ( 35% ) = bikers205 ( 35% ) = bikers 224 ( 38% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers224 ( 38% ) = pedestrians + cart drivers

Road accidents – caused by alcohol months 1. Overall number of road accidents (cause: traffic code infractions, lack of attention, speeding, alcohol consumption) Overall number of road accidents linked to alcohol consumption Light road accidents (material damages + flesh wounds) Severe road accidents (material damages + severe wounds) Deaths 2 1

Healthcare costs of road accidents caused by alcohol a. 2006: TWI days worth euros b (8 months): TWI days worth euros TWI = Temporary Work Incapacity (days in hospital and home care) 1 TWI day = 55 euros

Remarks & conclusions a. The majority of road accidents caused by alcohol occur: –At the end of the week (on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays) –On religious holidays or during weekly fairs b. The majority of road accidents caused by alcohol occur between 06:00 pm and 06:00 am c. For cyclists, pedestrians and cart drivers, road accidents are also linked to the following factors (besides alcohol): Lack of obedience of traffic rules Walking on the roadway No indication of their presence on the roadway No use of reflective vests

Measures implemented at the national level Modification of the Traffic Code, with tougher punishments; Patrol vehicles for the county police; Increase in the number of traffic surveillance and control teams; Media campaigns under the ‘Stop Alcohol’ programme; Tax increase for alcohol drinks; Building new roads to by-pass urban and rural centres.

Measures proposed at the regional level a.Introduction of alcohol-related themes in education programmes, as part of the civic education courses Partners: Arges County Council, Arges Education Inspection b.Awareness-raising campaign for citizens about the risks of drink driving for public safety Partners: Arges County Council, Regional Police, local NGOs c. Modernisation of regional road equipment improving road markings and road signs improving road markings and road signs Building and repairing cycling lanes and sidewalks in rural areas Building and repairing cycling lanes and sidewalks in rural areas Partners: Arges County Council, Local Councils