Strategic analysis on alcohol checks on waterways

25 February 2015

The Maritime and River Police (SPN) submitted to the College of General Prosecutors a set of issues related to police checks on waterways, including the problem of blood alcohol and intoxication. A request was made to consider the possibility of issuing guidelines in this respect, similar to those which already exist for road traffic.

The College of General Prosecutors had asked to be provided beforehand with a strategic analysis on this phenomenon. This analysis highlights the following: in Flanders, six offences described in Chapter 12 of the general police regulations for the navigation on the inland waterways of the Kingdom were recorded, and 1 500 breath tests were conducted as part of alcohol checks on waterways. In Wallonia, three offences were recorded. Those who tested positive were all riding a boat.