Spain's Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has launched a nationwide campaign to increase roadside alcohol and drug testing for drivers [1].
These intensified controls aim to reduce road fatalities and injuries by preventing individuals from operating vehicles while under the influence. The initiative reflects a broader effort to improve national road safety through high-visibility enforcement [1].
The DGT is coordinating the effort with the Guardia Civil traffic unit, and the Federación Nacional ASPAYM [1]. Officers are conducting breathalyzer and drug tests on all types of roads throughout the country at any hour of the day [2].
Reports on the exact timing of the campaign vary slightly among sources. RTVE reported the intensified period as July 13–19, 2025 [1], while other reports cited July 14–20, 2025 [2].
The scale of the operation is significant, with authorities performing more than 30,000 tests per day [2]. These checkpoints are designed to create a deterrent effect by ensuring drivers know that testing is frequent and unpredictable.
Data indicates a persistent challenge with impaired driving in the region. More than 500 drivers per day tested positive for alcohol or drugs during the campaign [3]. This high volume of positive results underscores the ongoing risk posed by substance use behind the wheel.
Long-term statistics show that drug-related offenses remain a critical target for Spanish authorities. In 2025, 70,717 drivers were fined for drug use [4]. The current campaign serves as a tactical spike in enforcement to address these trends.
“More than 30,000 tests per day”
The scale of this campaign suggests that Spanish authorities are shifting toward a high-frequency testing model to combat a stubborn trend of impaired driving. By conducting tens of thousands of tests daily and targeting all road types regardless of the hour, the DGT is attempting to move from sporadic checkpoints to a systemic deterrent. The fact that over 70,000 drivers were fined for drugs in 2025 indicates that substance-impaired driving is a primary public health and safety priority for the state.
