Some 8,227 drug-affected drivers were taken off Austria’s roads in 2024, as the Ministry of the Interior warns of a growing “dangerous offence” of driving under the influence.

“The protection of the public is the core mission of our police,” said Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. “As such, we will continue to remove drug and alcohol-affected drivers, as well as dangerous speeders, from the roads. This is a key focus of our enforcement efforts.”

In comparison, only 1,068 reports were made in 2015. The ministry attributes this sharp rise to a combination of tougher enforcement and a greater emphasis on drug influence in police training.

Since 2020, following reforms to the federal police training programme, the number of drug-related driving offences has doubled. Austria’s police force now features a network of specially trained officers focused on spotting and tackling drug-affected driving. Additionally, “planned operations” have been introduced, working with public health doctors and medical professionals to target drug drivers at major events, such as festivals and concerts.