Abstract

BUITRAGO CUBIDES, Julián Ricardo; NORZA CESPEDES, Ervyn  and  RUIZ ARIAS, Héctor. Driving under the influence of alcohol in Colombia, and the implementation of Act (“Ley") 1696 of 2013. Rev. Crim. [online]. 2015, vol.57, n.3, pp.27-40. ISSN 1794-3108.

Driving while intoxicated is causing serious damages to the physical integrity of drivers, passengers and third parties involved in traffic accidents. This occurrence demands the timely action of the relevant authorities, and in December 2013 the Colombian State issued Act (“Ley") 1696 whereby criminal and administrative provisions designed to impose both criminal and administrative penalties aimed at sanctioning individuals found driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or other psychoactive substances were issued, including the development of measures of preventive and controlling nature, and making the pursuit of offenders easier. The partial impact of this rule was examined during the first 2010-2013 and 2014 bi-annual periods, taking time-place- and mode variables into account, as seen and described from the control theory and relevant researches. A non-experimental investigation was developed by means of a quantitative study of descriptive nature. Data were obtained by Colombian National Police statistical databases. The results show that the implementation of Act (“Ley") 1696 did not change the frequency in any of the three variables so observed vis-à-vis accidents caused by drink-driving offenders, and it is has been concluded that the simple increase of punitive measures is not sufficient to reduce this kind of behavior.

Keywords : Control theory; drivers in intoxication conditions; criminalization; Act (“Ley") 1696 of 2013; legislation in force.

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