24 drug drivers in Vienna-Meidling: Police draw harsh conclusions!

24 drug drivers in Vienna-Meidling: Police draw harsh conclusions!

On April 30, 2025, the Vienna police carried out a comprehensive campaign in Vienna-Meidling that focused on increasing traffic safety. The aim was to take particular action against drug and alcohol addicts. The Meidling city police command and three medical officers from the Vienna State Police Department were involved in this operation. The measures resulted in the arrest of 24 drug drivers and the temporary confiscation of nine driving licenses.

As part of the inspection, a total of 153 alcohol tests were carried out, in which three people were caught driving while impaired by alcohol. The operation also led to three arrests, including cases with open criminal files worth a total of 12,000 euros. In the overall balance, the police recorded 335 reports in the traffic sector and the issuing of 99 mandates. These results underline the urgency of measures to combat driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Road safety background

Traffic accidents caused by the influence of alcohol or drugs are among the most serious causes of accidents. An analysis from 2020 shows that 4,463 accidents under the influence of alcohol and 560 under the influence of drugs were registered in Bavaria. However, many of these trips occur without an accident occurring, which indicates a high number of unreported cases. The Bavarian Traffic Watch has been committed to education and prevention for many years, particularly to raise awareness among young drivers aged 18 to 25.

The “East Bavarian Road Safety Campaign”, launched in 1985, was initiated to reduce the increasing number of accidents. This campaign is carried out in cooperation with institutions such as ADAC and TÜV SÜD. The aim of these initiatives is to address the effects of alcohol and drugs on the road through targeted education in schools.

The role of distraction in traffic

In addition to drug and alcohol-related illness, distraction is a growing problem on the road. More than half of drivers said they had gotten into dangerous situations because they were distracted. Statistics show that inattention or distraction play a role in one in four serious accidents. This distraction is often associated with cell phone use, but also includes everyday activities such as eating, drinking, or talking to passengers.

In order to promote road safety, traffic guards in Bavaria offer informative lectures on the topics of “alcohol, drugs and distraction”. Experience-oriented events with simulators are also offered to raise awareness among road users. Information about such lectures and events can be requested directly from the local traffic police or the Bavarian State Traffic Police office.

The latest results of the control operation in Vienna and the continuous efforts of the traffic guards demonstrate the ongoing commitment to better road safety and the urgent need to prevent accidents. While the Vienna police are strengthening local traffic safety, education about drugs, alcohol and distraction is a central part of accident prevention.