Increased police checks on New Year's Eve: safety first!

Increased police checks on New Year's Eve: safety first!

At the turn of the year, the Carinthian police are planning to increase patrols and control activities in order to increase road safety. As Klick Kärnten reports, the focus of these controls is on alcohol tests, which are intended to help prevent alcohol-related accidents. This is particularly important because one in four traffic deaths in the EU is caused by alcohol, as a current survey by BASt shows.

The police will be present in particular in the metropolitan areas of Klagenfurt and Villach as well as in other district towns. In addition to the regular patrols, special teams, service dogs and civilian patrols are also deployed to carry out the checks. The presence of these forces is intended to more quickly identify potential violations and take appropriate action.

Alcohol offenders on the street

The checks are carried out directly at the side of the road, where officers can order alcohol tests if impaired driving is suspected. According to [Points Flensburg](https://www.points-flensburg.de/ Alcohol Control/), road users must remain calm during a check and follow the police's requests in order to avoid unpleasant consequences. It is important to note that the alcohol limit in Germany and Austria is 0.5 per mille. A criminal liability can arise from as little as 0.3 per mille, which is particularly important for novice drivers in their probationary period who must remain alcohol-free.

The possible fines vary depending on the severity of the violations. A first offense of 0.5 per mille or more can result in a fine of up to 500 euros and a driving ban of one month. If further violations occur, the penalties increase significantly.

Pyrotechnics and consideration

Another focus of police checks during the New Year is compliance with the Pyrotechnics Act. Here the police appeal to the population to only use approved fireworks products and to be considerate of other people and animals. In particular, the improper use of fireworks can result in serious injuries and is punished harshly if done in local areas.

The police ensure that adults are responsible for ensuring that pyrotechnics do not fall into the hands of children. This is particularly important because the possession of certain firecrackers by young people under the age of 16 is an administrative offense.

With this in mind, the Carinthian police wish all citizens a safe New Year and a good start to 2026. The increased police presence and comprehensive controls are intended to minimize the risk of traffic accidents and other dangerous situations.