9.1 Drunk driving

In Sweden, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, i.e. with a blood alcohol content of minimum 0.02 per cent or more, or a breath alcohol content of 0.10 milligrams per litre or more, is regarded as crime, regardless of whether the driver is involved in an accident or not.

The crime is considered to be gross if the driver has a blood alcohol content of at least 1.0 milligrams per litre or a breath alcohol content of at least 0.50 milligrams per litre or if the driver otherwise has been considerably affected by alcohol or another substance or if the driving of the vehicle has constituted a considerable danger to the road safety.

These alcohol limits also apply at sea, when in charge of a motor boat capable of speeds over 15 knots or any other vessel with an overall hull length of at least 10 meters. Breaching the prescribed alcohol limits constitutes the criminal act drunkenness at sea.

Provisions on driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are found in Section 4 and Section 4a of the Swedish Road Traffic Offences Act (1951:649) and apply to the driving of motor vehicles. Provisions on drunkenness at sea are found in Chapter 20, Section 4 and 5 of the Swedish Maritime Code (1994:1009).

The Swedish Road Traffic Offences Act (1951:649)

The Swedish Maritime Code (1994:1009)