Latvia’s annual “Ballējam – izguļam” campaign, run by the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), returned for the midsummer holidays with a clear message: party on Līgo night, but rest on Jāņi day before getting behind the wheel. The campaign responds to a worrying trend—over the last five years, the number of insurance claims for crashes caused by drunk driving has risen by 13 percent. Last year alone, there were 755 road accidents in Latvia involving a drunk driver, resulting in 20 fatalities. In just the first five months of this year, there have already been 237 such incidents.

Addiction specialist Dr. Mārtiņš Ennītis, speaking for the campaign, warns that the most dangerous effect of alcohol is the loss of critical judgment about one’s own abilities. Alcohol disturbs the balance of key neurotransmitters in the brain, which impairs motivation, perception, decision-making and muscle coordination. This means even after a single drink, drivers tend to overestimate their capabilities and underestimate risks. The myth that you can drive after just one drink is not only false, it is deadly.

Another key message of the campaign is that sleep and full recovery are essential before driving. The effects of alcohol do not end once the blood alcohol level drops to zero. Research shows that even the next day, after a night of drinking, attention, reaction time, and vehicle control remain impaired, and this “brain fog” can last up to 24 hours or more. Quality sleep of at least nine hours is recommended after drinking, and for those who drink heavily over several days, recovery can take up to 48 hours.

Finally, the campaign emphasizes shared responsibility. Passengers and friends must not let an intoxicated person drive—taking away the keys may be the only safe option, as arguing with a drunk person is usually pointless. The “Ballējam – izguļam” initiative is organized by CSDD together with the State Police, insurance company ERGO, ride-sharing platform Bolt, and other partners. The goal is to reduce drink driving and make Latvia’s roads safer for everyone.

Find more from CSDD (Latvia, June 2025)