Colossally drunk drivers caught over weekend in Latvia

On the night of July 17th on the A2 highway near Līgatne a man was detained at the wheel of a Mercedes-Benz vehicle. Not only did he lack a driving licence, but he was tested and found to have a blood alcohol content of an astonishing 3.34 promiles – which in anyone's terms is massively drunk. He was run a very close second only 12 hours later by a driver in Erģeme, Valka district whose Chrysler vehicle was pulled over by police. He tipped the intoxication scales at 3.30 promiles. In both cases a criminal process has been started and if found guilty, both potentially face having their cars confiscated in addition to other punishments. The standard drink drive limit for Latvia is 0.5 promiles (0.2 for novice drivers), so both drivers were nearly six times over the limit. Meanwhile alcohol was also at the root of a conflict which broke out between two brothers in Staicele, Limbaži municipality on Sunday evening. Following a drinking bout, one of the brothers stabbed the other with a knife. The victim was taken to a medical institution where he was found to have an alcohol level of 2.82 promile. Upon checking the victim's data, it was found that he is wanted by police. Criminal proceedings have been initiated regarding the incident.