A new tougher law against drunk driving took effect in Brazil on Friday, which authorities hope would further reduce traffic accidents and related deaths.

It is a tougher version of the "Dry Law" approved by the Brazilian Congress in 2008, which was already considered severe in punishing drunk drivers.

The new regulations close a few gaps in the previous law, which enabled some drivers to dodge punishments.

Under the previous law, drivers could refuse to undergo breathalyser tests citing the legal principle that one cannot be forced to produce evidence against oneself.

The new law permits other evidences of the driver's inebriated state to be accepted by the court, including videos that show the driver was indeed drunk and testimonies of eyewitnesses and police officers.

Now, drunk driving fine has also increased from 957.70 reais (462.65 U.S. dollars) to 1,915.40 reais (925.31 dollars). The sum will double if the driver has two incidents of drunk driving in less than a year.

Drunk drivers can also be arrested for six months to three years and have their drivers' licenses suspended.

The so-called Dry Law led to a significant decrease of traffic accidents in Brazil over the past few years. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)