According to the federal police, the latest Bob campaign conducted in Belgium during the summer has once again presented encouraging results, with ‘only’ 1.36% of drivers testing positive for alcohol.
When the first campaign was launched in 1995 – 31 years ago – that figure was still 6.4%. The message is certainly getting through, then – though unfortunately not to everyone.
More checks, fewer positive tests
The good news is that more and more checks are being carried out year after year, while an ever-shrinking proportion of drivers test positive. The number of drivers testing positive decreases during both the summer and winter campaigns.
However, the downward trend does not mean that alcohol use behind the wheel has disappeared. Of the drivers who tested positive during the 2024-2025 winter campaign, approximately two-thirds had a blood alcohol level above 0.8‰. Among drivers tested following an accident involving injuries, more than one in ten tested positive.
Alcohol and drugs
In the last 12 weeks, 563,913 alcohol tests have been carried out by various police services in the country – more than ever. A total of 7,667 drivers tested positive. This is a decrease compared to the previous summer campaign, during which 1.62% of drivers tested positive (2.1% in 2024). In addition, 3,811 drivers’ licenses were withdrawn.
Drug testing also took place last summer; a total of 1,048 positive saliva tests were recorded, slightly fewer than the previous year (1,497), and the trend is clearly downward. For the fifth year in a row, the percentage of positive alcohol tests has decreased. In this context, 817 drivers’ licenses were withdrawn this summer.
Positive trend
The figures show that the majority of drivers have understood the BOB campaigns’ message and are adjusting their behavior accordingly – a positive development.
Yet, there is still a minority that persistently disregards the message. These are people who put not only their own safety at risk, but also that of other road users.
European campaign
The Bob campaign is a European campaign against drunk driving. It was launched in Belgium in 1995 by the BIVV (Belgisch Instituut voor de VerkeersVeiligheid) – now the Vias Institute – in collaboration with the Arnoldus Group of the Belgian Brewers’ Federation.
Alcohol behind the wheel primarily affects your perception, reaction time, and judgment. Even a small amount of alcohol can make you take risks more readily and overestimate your abilities.
Alcohol can also intensify drowsiness, especially during longer drives. Coffee, fresh air, or a cold shower will not make you sober. Only time lowers the alcohol level in your body. With 0.8 g/l (0.08%) alcohol in your blood, the risk of a traffic accident is approximately three times higher.
