More drunk driving raids to be conducted in Lithuania

VILNIUS- Lithuanian police will be increasing their drunk driving checks this year.

Police Commissioner General Vizgirdas Telycenas in a meeting on Feb. 23 submitted a statement to Interior Minister Raimundas Palaitis, the Lithuanian Interior Ministry, saying that despite the cost of such raids, the results are effective.

Such raids come at a considerable price to the police, said the police commissioner general, however noting their effectiveness as being undeniable. "Even though we inform the public every time on the exact days we plan to execute the mass raids, we determine around 300 cases of drunk driving on each such occasion", Telycenas said.

Palaitis resolved to find money for the raids (purchasing Alcotest tubes) in funds allocated for traffic safety, saying it has already been coordinated with Transport and Communications Minister Eligijus Masiulis.

Palaitis and police chiefs met after a tragic car crash, which occurred in Vilkaviskis district of Southwestern Lithuania, leaving 7 passengers of a Grand Cherokee land-rover dead, with three children among them. The driver responsible for the crash was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.