This is how absurdly many drunk driving fines were issued daily in 2024
Increase
The number of fines for drunk driving remains stubbornly high and has exceeded 40,000 for three years in a row. An analysis by Independer, based on police figures, shows that last year an average of 117 fines per day were handed out to drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs. That amounts to nearly five fines per hour. A total of 42,616 fines were recorded in 2024, a sharp increase from five years ago, when the number was 32,544. This represents an increase of as much as 30 percent.
Amsterdam remains frontrunner, but Oostzaan steals the show
Most offenders are caught in major cities. Amsterdam takes the crown with 2,482 fines, followed by The Hague (2,388) and Rotterdam (2,267). But if we set the number of fines against the number of inhabitants, a very different picture emerges. The small municipality of Oostzaan turns out to be the absolute outlier. Here, as many as 77.4 fines per 10,000 inhabitants were issued – more than 2.5 times the national average. Laren and Texel, with 74.4 and 66.8 fines per 10,000 inhabitants respectively, are also doing badly.
South Holland
At the provincial level, South Holland is the “winner” with 10,603 fines. North Holland (7,340) and North Brabant (5,340) follow closely behind. Together, these three provinces account for more than half of all fines in the Netherlands.
Financial hangover
Driving under the influence is not only dangerous, it can also be costly. Menno Dijcks, car insurance expert at Independer, warns of the financial consequences. “Have you had one drink too many and caused an accident? Then the person who causes the accident will always pay for the damage to your car. Your car insurance normally always covers the other party’s damages, but in the case of alcohol or drug use, insurers recover these costs from the perpetrator. This is stipulated in the policy conditions. So it can cost you a lot of money. Especially if personal injury is involved.”