Police Midsummer Summary: 50 Drunk Drivers, 65 Domestic Violence Incidents and Intoxicated Teenage Moped Driver

The Police and Border Guard Board released a summary of Midsummer Day events: on 24 June, 18 criminal reports were registered, 89 administrative offences were recorded, and four traffic accidents occurred, one of which resulted in a fatality. In total, police checked over 6,100 drivers, of whom 50 had consumed alcohol. Domestic violence incidents were responded to approximately 65 times.

The Police and Border Guard Board issued an overview of events on 24 June, Midsummer Day, which brought numerous traffic violations and breaches of public order throughout Estonia.

Traffic and drunk drivers

During the day, police checked the sobriety of more than 6,100 drivers, of whom 50 had consumed alcohol. In addition, police intervened in approximately 35 cases of speeding. Four traffic accidents resulted in a total of one fatality and seven injuries. A tragic traffic accident occurred in Valga County, which Rus.ERR had previously reported.

Domestic violence and sobering-up facilities

Police responded to approximately 65 domestic violence incidents. In eight of these cases, a child was the victim or witness. In connection with domestic violence circumstances, restraining orders were imposed twice on that day. Over 40 people were admitted to sobering-up facilities who posed a danger to themselves or others.

Teenage moped driver fled police

During the holiday period, police dealt with several cases of non-compliance, where drivers ignored police stop signals. In one such case, an intoxicated teenager was operating a moped.

On the evening of 23 June, a police patrol spotted a moped in Aruküla with lights not functioning and a driver without a helmet. When officers attempted to stop the driver, the young man accelerated instead and ignored the police signal to stop. After a brief pursuit, he drove directly at a police car and fell off. The 15-year-old youth, showing signs of alcohol intoxication, was taken to hospital for examination. It was established that he lacked the required driving licence and appropriate safety equipment.

Inna Toater, operations chief of the North Prefecture, emphasised the seriousness of the incident: "This case clearly illustrates how dangerous it is to participate in traffic while intoxicated. Young people who consume alcohol tend to overestimate their abilities, and recklessness combined with intoxication and limited experience can lead to tragic consequences. We urge parents to talk with teenagers about the risks of alcohol consumption and to explain that participating in traffic while intoxicated is dangerous and prohibited by law."