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Risk: alcohol and fatigue

Alcohol and fatigue are the two biggest killers on the roads. Driving under the influence of alcohol is strictly punished in the Czech Republic (zero tolerance), and fatigue behind the wheel is responsible for up to 20% of fatal accidents.

Section 5 of Act 361/2000 Coll. prohibits driving under the influence of alcohol and addictive substances. Section 5 also mandates that the driver must be physically and mentally fit to drive.

Explanation

ALCOHOL AND DRIVING:

In the Czech Republic, ABSOLUTE ZERO TOLERANCE applies:

• 0.0 ‰ (promile) = no alcohol
• Applies to all drivers (including cyclists!)

Effects of alcohol on driving:

• 0.2 ‰: deterioration of peripheral vision, false sense of confidence
• 0.5 ‰: reaction time slowed by 30-50%, narrowing of the field of vision
• 0.8 ‰: tunnel vision, significantly slowed reactions
• 1.0 ‰: loss of coordination, poor distance estimation
• 1.5 ‰+: severe intoxication, inability to drive

How quickly alcohol is metabolized:

• On average 0.3-0.5 ‰ per hour
• 2 beers (1.0 ‰) = about 2-4 hours to metabolize!
• 'I'll be fine in the morning' is a common trap - you may still have alcohol in your blood in the morning

Refusal of a breath test = automatically considered driving under the influence!

SANCTIONS FOR DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE:

• Up to 0.3 ‰: misdemeanor, fine 2,500 - 20,000 CZK, 6 points
• 0.3 - 1.0 ‰: misdemeanor, fine 25,000 - 50,000 CZK, 6 points, driving ban 1-2 years
• Above 1.0 ‰: CRIMINAL OFFENSE, up to 3 years imprisonment + driving ban
• Refusal of a test: treated as above 1.0 ‰ - criminal!
• Repeated offenses: stricter penalties, up to 2 years in prison

ADDICTIVE SUBSTANCES (drugs):

• Marijuana: slows reactions, worsens concentration
• Amphetamines: false sense of alertness, unpredictable reactions
• Medications: some medications (for sleep, pain relief, allergies) affect driving - always read the package leaflet!

Professional drivers: regular medical examinations + tests for alcohol and drugs.

FATIGUE BEHIND THE WHEEL:

Fatigue is as dangerous as alcohol. A tired driver:

• Has slowed reactions (similar to 0.5 ‰ alcohol)
• Can fall asleep at the wheel (micro-sleep = 3-5 seconds)
• Has impaired decision-making

Warning signs of fatigue:

• Frequent yawning
• Heavy eyelids, blinking
• Drifting out of lane (car 'wanders')
• Cannot remember the last kilometers
• Irritability and inability to concentrate

What to do:

• PULL OVER in a safe place
• A short nap (20-30 minutes) is the MOST EFFECTIVE - so-called 'power nap'
• Coffee helps only temporarily (15-30 minutes)
• Open windows and loud music DO NOT WORK
• Ideal: drive only when rested, take breaks every 2 hours

Common mistakes

Common myths:

1. "One beer before driving is fine" - IT'S NOT! In the Czech Republic, there is zero tolerance. Even 0.2 ‰ worsens driving.

2. "In the morning I'm fine after last night's party" - Alcohol is metabolized slowly. After 5 beers at 11 PM, you might still have 0.3 ‰ at 7 AM!

3. "Coffee will keep me awake for the whole trip" - Coffee has an effect for 15-30 minutes. The only solution is SLEEP.

4. "I'll open the window and I'll be fine" - NO! Cold air will wake you up temporarily, but fatigue will return.

5. "I'll refuse the breath test and I'll be fine" - NO! Refusal = automatically a criminal offense.

How to remember it

Practical summary:

Alcohol and fatigue – hard facts:

Alcohol:

• Czech Republic = ZERO tolerance (0.0 ‰)
• Refusal of a breath test = automatically driving under the influence (6 points + driving ban + fine)
• 0.3–1.0 ‰ = misdemeanor (6 points, fine 25,000–50,000 CZK, ban 12–24 months)
• Above 1.0 ‰ = CRIMINAL OFFENSE (up to 3 years imprisonment)
• Metabolism: about 0.1 ‰ per hour. Two beers (1 l) = about 7–10 hours until you are at zero

Fatigue:

• Fatigue behind the wheel is as dangerous as alcohol
• After 17 hours without sleep, you drive as if you have 0.5 ‰ alcohol
• Micro-sleep lasts 2–4 seconds – at 130 km/h that is 70–140 m blind

What to do when fatigued:

• Pull over at the nearest safe place
• A short nap of 15–20 minutes helps for about 2 hours
• Coffee takes effect in 20–30 minutes (not immediately)
• Open windows and loud music DO NOT WORK

What the law says

Verbatim text of Act No. 361/2000 Coll., on road traffic, as in force on 1 January 2026. Quoted in Czech — the Czech wording is the binding one.

Check what you remember

Five questions from the official bank. The answer appears only after you choose — try to recall it first, that is what makes learning stick.

1. Question 1 of 5

   The relevant municipal authority of a municipality with extended powers shall issue to the driving licence holder immediately after reporting the theft of a driving licence:

   A certificate of notification of loss, theft, damage or destruction of a driving licence.An international driving permit.A duplicate of the driving licence.

2. Question 2 of 5

   A driving licence is invalid if:

   The driving licence information recorded in it does not correspond to the facts.Any of the data recorded in it does not correspond to the facts.It does not contain information about the next regular medical examination date.

3. Question 3 of 5

   A driving licence is required to drive a combination of a tractor and a trailer:

   D+E.T+E.T.

4. Question 4 of 5

   The operator of a motor vehicle is liable:

   For damage caused by the special nature of motor vehicle operation.Only for damage caused by a breach of their legal obligations.Only for damage caused by a breach of the driver's obligations when operating this vehicle.

5. Question 5 of 5

   Motor vehicle liability insurance covers:

   Any person who is liable for damage caused by the operation of the vehicle specified in the insurance contract.The vehicle owner who is liable for damage caused by the operation of the vehicle. This insurance does not cover other users of the vehicle.The vehicle owner when participating in an organised motor sport event where the driver is not required to comply with road traffic regulations.