Zagreb – Croatia has adopted tough new zero-tolerance drink-driving laws in a bid to curb road accidents, the HINA news agency reported on Friday.
Parliament adopted a bill late on Thursday introducing zero blood-alcohol tolerance, abolishing the previous threshold of 0.05 percent.
The law will come into effect on August 20 at the end of the tourist season.
It also set strong fines of up to 3 000 kunas (about R3 100) for those caught driving while under the influence.
The conservative government tightened the drink-driving rules in the face of opposition complaints that the zero-tolerance policy could impact negatively on the booming tourism industry.
Even the influential Catholic church called for a compromise solution of 0.03 percent or the exemption of priests, arguing that they have to imbibe wine as part of their work.
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