|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
UK: A third of drug-taking drivers pass roadside sobriety test
Ben Webster Times Online
Monday 10 Apr 2006 MORE than a third of motorists who drive after taking illegal drugs nevertheless pass roadside sobriety tests, according to a study. The findings put in question the accuracy of “field impairment tests”, which assess mental and physical co-ordination and were introduced last year. Police have long suspected that many motorists who would not drink and drive, for fear of being breathalysed, are willing to take drugs because they believe that there is little chance of being caught. The government-commissioned study by Glasgow University found that police were unable to spot any impairment in 36 per cent of drivers who later gave samples of blood, urine or saliva that tested positive for illegal drugs. The traditional practice of examining a driver’s pupils was particuarly unreliable. Opiates cause pupil constriction whereas cannabis, hallucinogens and stimulants cause pupil dilation — yet half of the drivers who tested positive for these drugs displayed no evidence in their pupils. The Romberg Test, which assesses the ability to estimate the passage of 30 seconds, was also found to be poor in identifying drug users. Those who have taken cocaine tend to speed up time; those who have taken cannabis slow it down. But the study found that “more than half of the drug-positive drivers did not display clues . . . possibly as a result of their personal tolerance to the drugs”. When the test was made more difficult by adding another task, a large proportion of drug-free drivers failed and were taken unnecessarily to a police station for further tests. The RAC Foundation said that the study illustrated the need for more accurate roadside-testing for the presence of drugs. Researchers at Edinburgh University have developed a hand-held computer test in which drivers are asked to track a moving ball on a screen with a stylus, and press a button every time a road sign flashes up. Machines to test saliva have also been developed, but are yet to be approved by the Home Office. The Glasgow study recommended that they be authorised. Drug use among drivers has risen sharply. The Department for Transport has found that almost a fifth of those killed on the road had been driving with drugs in the system, compared with 3 per cent in 1989. The fight against drug-driving is made difficult by the need for evidence not just that the driver has taken drugs but that his driving has been impaired as a result. Unlike with alcohol, there is no limit above which a driver is automatically assumed to be impaired. Sue Nicholson, of the foundation,urged the Government to adopt a proposal from the Association of Chief Police Officers that a positive roadside drug test be the only evidence needed to secure a conviction. In Germany, Sweden and Belgium this is the position. Ms Nicholson said: “There has been a sharp increase in the number of young drivers killed on our roads, and we suspect drug-driving may play a large part in this. There is an urgent need to improve detection techniques and equipment available to our police.” ROMBERG TESTS Time awareness The head is tilted back for about 30 seconds, eyes closed. Drivers who have used drugs may sway, take a step, raise an arm, raise their head or open eyes Walk and turn Walk heel to toe for nine steps on a line, turn and repeat, counting steps aloud. Those who stumble, step off line or cannot keep count may have used drugs One-legged stand Standing on one leg, start counting up from 1,001. Swaying, hopping or not being able to count shows possible drug use Finger on nose Tilt head back and stretch out hands. Touch tip of nose with alternate fingers. Failure could indicate drug use http://driving.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,22749-2126522,00.html
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!