Split police removed 199 drivers from traffic over the weekend due to alcohol or drugs, with the most extreme case being a 28-year-old who also refused a drug test and disturbed public order.
Over the past weekend, Split police conducted an extensive preventive operation in the Split-Dalmatia County area, during which as many as 199 drivers were removed from traffic. All were found driving under the influence of alcohol or refused to be tested for the presence of drugs in their system.
In addition to having their freedom of movement restricted, the drivers were fined and banned from driving. Four "negative record holders," as the police described them, ended up behind bars, with most of them being repeat traffic offenders.
The most severe case was recorded on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at around 1:30 AM in Matoševa Street in Split. Police stopped a 28-year-old van driver who, upon breathalyzing, had a blood alcohol concentration of 3.46 g/kg, or 3.46 promille. The driver also refused a preliminary drug test.
In addition to driving heavily intoxicated, it was determined that the man disturbed the peace of residents by shouting and banging on his vehicle, committing a public order offense. After being taken into custody, he remained in police custody until sober, and was then quickly brought before a judge. He was ordered to be held in jail until August 8, 2026.
The second case of high intoxication occurred on Saturday in Solin, where a 39-year-old driver caused a traffic accident. He failed to adjust his speed, crossed into the lane for oncoming traffic, and collided with the side of another vehicle. Fortunately, no one was injured in the accident. His blood alcohol concentration was measured at 2.93 g/kg. The court ordered him to remain in custody for 15 days, after which he was transferred to a detention facility.
In Kaštel Sućurac, a 43-year-old man was stopped with a blood alcohol level of 1.61 g/kg. His driver's license had already been revoked due to penalty points, so he is barred from retaking the driving test until July 2028. He faces several other misdemeanor proceedings and received a ten-day jail sentence.
In the same area, a 45-year-old man was also stopped while driving under the influence of alcohol and without a valid license for any vehicle category. He too received a ten-day jail sentence.
"In order to protect their lives and the lives of all road users they could have endangered, the drivers were removed from traffic, fined, and banned from driving, and the four negative record holders, most of whom are repeat traffic offenders, have been sent to jail. In addition to alcohol, two of the repeat offenders sent to jail were driving without a valid driver's license, which are certainly two of the most serious traffic offenses," the police stated.
