While it has been a nightmare for many drivers, a new law that imposes severe penalties for drinking and driving as part of an overhaul of the country's traffic regulations has been a boon for one business.

'Drink service' companies, which people can call to pick both them and their cars up when they've had too much to drink, have seen a surge in business since the law went into effect in July.

"The rise in demand has been tremendous," said Slávka Harazimová, owner of Drink S.O.S., which has been in operation since 1995. "Usually, demand for our services decreases about 50 percent in the summer. However, thanks to the fear of tough penalties for drivers, there is no decline this year. The demand has increased so much that some smaller companies weren't able to keep up and simply stopped picking up their phones."

The new law imposes a 12-point penalty system for traffic violations and more severe fines for reckless driving. The highest point deduction for an offense is seven, for driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The fines range from 25,000 Kč ($1,146) to 50,000 Kč.

The change in regulation has people so scared that they're afraid to even drive a few blocks if they've had a drink, according to Jaroslav Mašek, a dispatcher at Modrý andďl (Blue Angel).

"Drivers who are in a pub just one or two kilometers from home are calling us because they are afraid that policemen could be hidden just behind the corner, and that they could get into serious trouble," he said.

'Drivers are so stressed out'

There are approximately 18 drink service companies, and most contacted for this story agreed that the real impact of the new law will be seen after the summer holiday season.

"We've already seen an increase, but the biggest rise in demand should occur in September, after people get back in town from their holidays," said David Říčánek, managing operator at Rychlá želva (Quick Turtle).

And it probably won't be just from people who've had one too many drinks. According to many in the industry, the new, tougher penalties have sober people calling them for rides.

"Drivers are so stressed out from the threat of penalties that they call us when they have a broken bulb in their lights or a broken windshield, and they want to get their car driven home without risking fines from the police," Harazimová said.

The new law has, however, had at least one negative impact on such companies. It has forced drivers to slow down. That's because police are paying more attention to speeding now than ever before.

"In the past, we could count on making two 10-kilometer [6-mile] rides in an hour," Harazimová said. "Today, it's only about one."

This is particularly problematic because time is money in this business, said Josef Bret, a dispatcher at Drivers.

"It's often first come, first serve," he said. "Customers give a call to many service providers, and they take the one who comes first."

A Prague gig

Drink service companies are mostly located in Prague. In other cities and towns, the business is still developing.

Martin Kovalský, founder of Ostrava-based Drink Servis, said, "People here are not used to this kind of additional service like they are in Prague."

He said people in the north Moravian city are accustomed to using public transportation and only turn to alternatives in winter when it's too cold to wait at public transport stops.

The companies nevertheless think there is a market waiting to be tapped outside Prague, and both Drivers and Drink S.O.S. have expansion plans.

"At this time, our services could catch on in more places than just Prague," Drivers' Bret said.

This might result in even more drink service companies popping up.

"There are very few barriers to entering our market, so anyone with a car can work out an agreement with his wife and try to start this business," Harazimová said.

Modrý andďl's Mašek said, however, that only established companies will be able to compete in the long term.