A snowplow operator was arrested Friday morning near Præstø after police received multiple tips about him driving under the influence of drugs. The 45-year-old man was found asleep in his 42-ton truck with the engine running at a rest area. Authorities from Mid and West Zealand Police responded promptly to the reports.
Vice Chief Inspector Thomas Hartmann, who leads the Eastern Heavy Vehicle Center, emphasized the danger posed by impaired operation of such large machinery. "A vehicle this size, equipped with a snowplow, becomes extremely hazardous when driven by someone under the influence," he stated in a comment shared via Politi Update. The driver tested positive for cocaine and admitted to drug-impaired driving. He was later released after providing a blood sample.
Hartmann publicly thanked the citizens who reported the suspicious driving behavior, noting their vigilance helped prevent potential harm. The arrest occurred at 7:13 a.m., underscoring the risks that substance misuse can pose even among essential service workers. As Denmark continues to strengthen its social safety frameworks, incidents like this remind us that public trust relies on accountability across all roles in Danish society.