El Salvador Takes Bold Action Against Alcohol-Impaired Driving: A Game-Changer for Public Safety

San Salvador, El Salvador – February 2025 – El Salvador has taken a significant step for preventing and reducing alcohol-related road traffic injuries and fatalities by implementing a zero-tolerance law for driving under the influence (DUI). This new legislation, enacted on December 20, 2024, sets strict penalties for impaired drivers and has already shown promising results in improving public safety.

The New Law: A Zero-Tolerance Approach

Under the new DUI law, drivers found with any detectable amount of alcohol in their blood or breath face robust consequences:

First-time offenders receive a 72-hour detention, a $150 fine, and a one-year driver’s license suspension.
Repeat offenders face escalating penalties, including permanent license revocation.
If an alcohol-impaired driver causes a fatality, they could face up to 15 years in prison.

Early Success: Fewer Deaths on the Roads

The first weeks of enforcement indicate immediate improvements in road safety. During the 2024 holiday season, traffic-related fatalities decreased by 26% compared to the previous year.

Police reports confirm a high number of arrests, demonstrating strong enforcement efforts.

26%

Prevention of DUI and traffic fatalities

During the 2024 holiday season, traffic-related fatalities decreased by 26% compared to the previous year.

Alcohol-Related Harms in El Salvador: A Crisis in Need of Action

This reform comes at a crucial time, as alcohol continues to fuel a major public health crisis in El Salvador:

Alcohol-related deaths: 2,286 per year, with a mortality rate of 36.9 per 100,000 people.
Heavy episodic alcohol use: Affects 14.9% of the population, with rates significantly higher among men (22.4%) than women (8.6%).
Leading causes of deaths due to alcohol:
- Liver cirrhosis: 600 deaths annually, with 60.8% alcohol-attributable fraction.
- Esophageal cancer: 47.2% of deaths are due to alcohol.
- Road traffic injuries: 29.5% of deaths are caused by alcohol-impaired driving.
- Violence-related deaths: 27.1% of deaths are due to alcohol.
- Self-harm (suicide): 18.3% of deaths are linked to alcohol.
- Tuberculosis (TB): 15.6% of TB deaths are due to alcohol.

2,286

Deaths due to alcohol

In El Salvador, alcohol contributes to 2,286 deaths per year.

A Historic Shift in Alcohol Policy

Despite these alarming figures depicting the severe health and social harm, El Salvador has historically lacked comprehensive and evidence-based alcohol policy. According to the latest WHO Global Alcohol Status Report (2024):

The country does not have a national alcohol policy.
There are no health warning labels on alcohol products.
There are no national screening or intervention programs for alcohol use disorders.
Alcohol industry influence remains a challenge, often delaying or derailing public health initiatives to address the country’s alcohol burden.

With the introduction of the zero-tolerance DUI law, El Salvador has taken its first major step in addressing alcohol harm through evidence-based policy. This law aligns with WHO’s SAFER initiative, which promotes high-impact measures such as raising alcohol taxation, protecting people from advertising, sponsorship, and promotion, and among others robust DUI counter-measures.

Next Steps: Building a Comprehensive Alcohol Policy

Community leaders and public health advocates stress that while the DUI law is a critical improvement, broader policy reforms are needed to reduce the overall alcohol burden in El Salvador. Movendi International recommends:

Implementing higher alcohol taxes to reduce affordability.
Placing common sense limits on the physical presence of alcohol in communities.
Banning alcohol advertising, sponsorship, and promotion, especially targeting youth.
Establishing a national alcohol strategy with clear public health goals and linked to the Sustainable Development Goals.
Expanding treatment and prevention programs for alcohol use disorders.

A Turning Point for Public Health

El Salvador’s bold decision to enact a zero-tolerance DUI law is a historic victory for public safety and people’s health. With strong enforcement, this measure can save thousands of lives. However, sustained progress requires comprehensive alcohol policies that address the root causes of alcohol harm.

The question now is: Will El Salvador build on this momentum to become a regional leader in alcohol policy progress?