Bulgarian traffic police KAT would conduct enhanced surveillance throughout Bulgaria for drivers who were under the influence of alcohol or other perception-altering substances, the Interior Ministry said in a media statement, on December 7 2009.

The surveillance was part of a week-long police operation to enforce drink-driving and drug-driving legislation, which begins today across Europe.

The operation is co-ordinated by the European Traffic Police Network or Tispol, and aims to provide a seasonal reminder to all drivers of the potentially lethal dangers of getting behind the wheel while impaired by alcohol and/or drugs.

"Drink-driving is one of the biggest causes of death and serious injury on Europe’s roads. We are committed to rigorous enforcement, so that any driver who chooses to ignore the widespread education messages can expect to be caught and penalized" chief superintendent Pasi Kemppainen, chairman of TISPOL said, quoted by the European traffic police network website.

The operation aims to reduce serious accidents that lead to fatalities or serious injuries, ahead of the festive period. Statistics show that the vast majority of heavy traffic accidents can be attributed to drivers under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, the Interior Ministry media statement said.

In 2008, the seven-day operation resulted in over one million drivers being checked across Europe, of which 14 185 alcohol violations were registered and 939 drivers had used other substances.