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Letter: A step towards sopt checks for all?

Alun Buffry

Evening News, Norwich

Friday 13 Feb 1998

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In your article "Roadside spot checks and tougher legislation on the
way" (Evening News Feb 7) you describe impending "drug-driving tests".

These would include testing for cannabis and illegal drugs.

There is no mention of legal drugs.

In order to try to decrease the number of road accidents it is necessary
to decrease the number of unfit drivers. To punish a person for driving
whilst under the effects of cannabis whilst taking no action against
those on, say, valium or cough medicine is not going to increase road
safety.

Is there to be an allowed amount for some substances but zero tolerance
for others?

And what about individual's differing metabolisms?

And what about cannabis where there is scientific evidence available to
show that the effect of THC (one of the active ingredients in the plant)
is very small indeed.

The only way to fairly test drivers is to test their driving skills, not
their blood.

Then maybe we could rid the roads of the many bad drivers who do not
drink or take drugs too.

These include a great number of drivers whose eyesight or driving skills
may have worsened since they took their driving tests.

It's all very well using these tests on drivers who have already been
seen to be driving dangerously, but how do we know that they will not
eventually be used for random spot-checks on all drivers, as the
breathalyser has been used.

Alun Buffry
(non-driver)

 

 

 

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