In a twist ripped from a dark comedy, a Salvadoran motorist’s prisoner uniform costume became a self-fulfilling prophecy during a 2023 traffic stop. The driver, clad in the attire (likely for a costume event), was pulled over at a police checkpoint where officers administered a breathalyzer test.
The test revealed a staggering 160 mg/dL of alcohol in his blood—far above the previous legal limit of 100 mg/dL.
Though the video predates El Salvador’s zero-tolerance DUI law (approved in December 2024), the incident underscores the country’s escalating crackdown on drunk driving, now punishable by prison time for any detectable alcohol level.
If you want to know more about the zero-alcohol driving law in El Salvador, you can read the post we published when it was first approved.
Key Details from the video
- Disposable Hygiene: At the minute 2:56 (video here), officers are seen using plastic single-use mouthpieces for the breathalyzer, emphasizing both hygiene protocols and procedural rigor to prevent contamination of results.
- Instant Consequences: Despite the lighthearted disguise, the driver faced immediate detention, a $150 fine, and a suspended license under pre-2024 laws. Today, the penalties would be even harsher.
El Salvador’s 2024 Zero-Tolerance Law: What You Need to Know
- No More “Just One Drink”: Since December 2024, any detectable alcohol or drugs while driving constitutes “dangerous driving,” punishable by 2–5 years in prison (5–10 years for commercial drivers).
- Testing & Enforcement: Mandatory blood or breath tests at checkpoints—like the one in the video—now serve as immediate evidence for prosecution. Refusing the test leads to a mandatory medical exam, but positive results guarantee detention.
- Prison vs. Community Service: Sentences of up to 3 years can be substituted with public service (e.g., highway cleanup) if no injuries or fatalities occur. However, offenders still face fines, license suspension, and a permanent criminal record.
- Fatalities Escalate Penalties: Causing death while intoxicated leads to up to 15 years in prison for commercial drivers, reflecting the law’s uncompromising stance.
Why the Extreme Measures?
In 2024 alone, El Salvador’s roads saw 1,252 deaths and 19,677 accidents, with drunk driving contributing to the fatalities. Since the law’s passage, holiday traffic deaths reportedly dropped by 26%, signaling early success.
Video context: Filmed in 2023, this arrest occurred under prior DUI laws. The zero-tolerance policy took effect in December 2024.
