The legal alcohol limit is very low (0.02) so the sensible course is never to drink and drive. As in most countries the police are entitled to breathtest anybody – they don’t need a reason to pull you over – and will often do this at any time of the day or night. This is also applicable to drivers of snowmobiles and bicycles.

Drink driving is taken very seriously in this country and you will find that many Swedes completely abstain when driving. There is even an organisation committed to zero alcohol level and zero tolerance; Anti Drink Driving (Swedish only).

The legal limit is 0.02 and if you do get caught you will be fined and risk of imprisonment for  up to 2 years and cancellation of your licence. An accident resulting in death could lead to up to 6 years imprisonment.

If you have children and are over the legal limit you and your partner may be required to meet with your local Social Services office to discuss your attitudes to and relationship with alcohol and its affects on your family. Essentially they want to ascertain whether your children are at risk and comes from a long history of wanting to protect the children of alcoholic parents.