We would like to claim that we have done what we can to ensure a good application of the driving license law, then we can always do better, says the General Director Jonas Bjelfvenstam.
He came to the Riksdag's traffic committee to answer questions about the blood tests that show a person's alcohol consumption over the past few weeks.
Several people have testified in the media that they have had their driving licenses revoked due to high values in the criticized peth-tests.
One of them is Linn Gustafsson. She lost her driving license and thus her job as an ambulance nurse, since the Transport Agency considered that she had an alcohol abuse.
Gustafsson's doctor considered, however, that her alcohol consumption did not constitute a risk abuse.
People who do not have a diagnosis of abuse should not be able to lose their driving license, says Gustafsson, who was also in the Riksdag.
The Transport Agency revokes approximately 38,000 driving licenses per year. According to the authority, it was 40 driving licenses that were revoked in 2024 solely as a basis.
Bjelfvenstam points out that many injured and killed in traffic are due to alcohol.
It's not just when you drive drunk that you can get your driving license revoked, but here it's also about lasting dependence that impairs your cognitive abilities.
Should be changed
The Transport Agency is, however, reviewing the regulations for revocation of driving licenses.
It should not be enough with peth-tests, says Bjelfvenstam.
Besides high values in peth-tests, the person should, for example, have alcohol abstinence or impaired cognitive abilities.
Ulrika Heie (C), chairman of the committee, is pleased that the rule change is underway, but thinks that each case where the driving license has been revoked due to the tests should be examined individually.
It may require an external review.
Committee member Aylin Nouri (S) also wants the cases to be re-examined.
It is important that the individuals get the opportunity for re-examination and redress.
So far, all who have appealed the Transport Agency's decision have lost in court.
Linn Gustafsson is now waiting for a verdict in the Supreme Administrative Court. She is represented by Fredrik Bergman Evans, head of the Centre for Justice.
Linn's case is so clear, says he.
She has had medical expertise on her side that says there is no abuse. That a court in that situation does not pay attention to it, I think is quite astonishing.
