Portugal launches ‘Zero Alcohol Behind the Wheel’ road safety campaign

The National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), the National Republican Guard (GNR), and the Public Security Police (PSP) have launched the eighth campaign of the 2026 National Enforcement Plan (PNF). Running from August 18 to August 24, 2026, the initiative is titled ‘Taxa Zero ao Volante’ (Zero Alcohol Behind the Wheel).

The campaign focuses on combating driving under the influence of alcohol through a combination of nationwide awareness activities led by the ANSR and intensified enforcement operations conducted by the GNR and PSP. Authorities are targeting high-risk areas to detect impaired driving.

Data from 2025 highlights the necessity of the initiative: out of every 100 road accident victims autopsied in Portugal, 28 had blood alcohol levels exceeding the legal limit, with 78% of those victims reaching the threshold for criminal offenses. In 2025, approximately 2.1 million alcohol tests were performed, with a 1.6% positive rate.