Sanctions to become tougher for driving under the influence of alcohol

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has drafted a bill which provides tougher punishment for driving under the influence of alcohol, for speeding and parking in the wrong place, Deputy Interior Minister Nino Javakhadze says.

She stated that further details will be made public in the coming days. 

Driving under the influence of alcohol is an administrative offence in Georgia, banning driving for offenders for six months.

A repeat driving exam after six months or a payment of 1,000 GEL  are mandatory to be allowed to drive again.

Javakhadze says that the planned amendments will be discussed with the government and then in parliament and they aim to decrease the number of road accidents.

The number of victims in road accidents in Georgia in 2018 has been decreased by 11 per cent compared to 2017. However, the number of road accidents has been increased by six per cent and the number of the injured by seven per cent.

6,452 road accidents were reported in Georgia in 2018, with 459 killed and 9,047 injured.

When it comes to Tbilisi, in 2018 the number of victims in road accidents has been increased by four per cent compared to 2017, the number of injured has been increased by seven per cent and the number of road accidents by seven per cent.

Driving under the influence of drugs has already become a criminal offence.