The Republican National Guard detained 8,438 drivers with blood alcohol levels considered criminal between January 1 and July 31, 2026, representing approximately 280 drivers per week. A total of 8,856 crimes were recorded during this period, with each detained driver prevented from driving for at least 12 hours, totaling more than 101,000 hours of avoided circulation. The difference between crimes and detentions is due to cases where measurement requires blood samples in hospital settings, with formal suspect status only established after laboratory results.
The demographic analysis reveals that the phenomenon primarily affects the adult population between 31 and 64 years old, with emphasis on the 51 to 64 age group (2,450 detentions), followed by the 41 to 50 age group (2,167 detentions) and the 31 to 40 age group (1,850 detentions). Young people between 18 and 20 years old and senior drivers have significantly lower values. The incidence worsens on weekends, especially between 00:00 and 06:00, and the most affected districts are Porto, Setúbal, Aveiro, and Faro, areas with higher population density and tourist activity.
In Portugal, driving with a Blood Alcohol Level equal to or greater than 1.20 g/l constitutes a road crime, punishable by imprisonment of up to one year or a fine of up to 120 days, in addition to being barred from driving. The GNR maintains a daily strategy focused on neutralizing extreme risk behaviors, warning that alcohol consumption reduces reaction time, limits visual field, and decreases decision-making capacity.
Given this reality, the GNR appeals to individual and collective responsibility, recommending that those who consume alcoholic beverages do not drive, use public transportation or taxis, choose a designated driver in advance within their group, and always plan for a safe return.
