Portugal has launched a new nationwide road safety campaign, “Taxa Zero ao Volante” (Zero Alcohol at the Wheel), to raise awareness of the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol. Running from 3 to 9 November 2026, the campaign is organised by the National Road Safety Authority (ANSR), the National Republican Guard (GNR), and the Public Security Police (PSP). It is the final initiative in Portugal’s 2026 National Enforcement Plan, which includes eleven campaigns addressing major road safety risks. The campaign combines public awareness activities with increased police enforcement, reinforcing the message that the safest choice for anyone planning to drive is to avoid alcohol entirely.
The campaign highlights concerning figures about alcohol and road fatalities in Portugal. According to ANSR, 28% of road traffic fatalities who underwent autopsies in 2025 had blood alcohol concentrations above the legal driving limit. Among these individuals, 78% had alcohol levels at or above the threshold at which drink-driving constitutes a criminal offence. The authorities also report that approximately 2.1 million alcohol breath tests were conducted in mainland Portugal during 2025, with 1.6 violations detected for every 100 tests. These figures underline the continuing importance of preventing alcohol-impaired driving through public education and effective enforcement.
A central message of the campaign is that feeling fine does not mean being fit to drive. Even relatively small amounts of alcohol can impair attention, slow reaction times, and affect judgement, increasing the risk of crashes and endangering not only drivers but also passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. During the campaign week, five joint awareness and enforcement operations are planned across mainland Portugal, supported by additional activities in the Azores and Madeira. ANSR teams will engage directly with drivers while police officers conduct roadside checks. Digital communication will further extend the campaign’s reach and reinforce its prevention messages.
The campaign also encourages people to make safe travel arrangements before they start drinking. Drivers are advised to plan their journeys home, designate someone who will remain alcohol-free, or use public transport, taxis, or other transport services if they consume alcohol. The authorities also warn against accepting a lift from someone who has been drinking. “Taxa Zero ao Volante” forms part of Portugal’s broader Vision Zero 2030 road safety strategy, which aims to eliminate road traffic deaths. Its message is straightforward: alcohol can compromise driving ability even when people believe they are in control, and the safest approach is to never combine drinking and driving.
Find more from Autoridade Nacional de Segurança Rodoviária (ANSR), (Portugal, November 2026)
