Subj:  UK: Call to halt drug-drive checks



Date:   Wednesday, September 30 1998



Source:    The Times (UK)



 

Call to halt drug-drive checks 

BY ARTHUR LEATHLEY, TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT 



EXPERTS urged ministers yesterday to shelve plans to

test drivers for drugs because of a lack of evidence that

they are a significant cause of road deaths and injuries. 



Ministers expressed alarm this year when studies

suggested that the percentage of drivers killed with traces

of illegal drugs in their body had increased from 3 per cent

in 1986 to 18 per cent in 1996. They immediately

announced trials of roadside drug-testing equipment as the

first step towards widespread checks. 



Senior doctors and safety campaigners cast doubt

 on whether the costs would be worthwhile.

Tests that show a drug has impaired driving ability cost

UKP350 and remain unproven. 



A report published by the AA yesterday said the

increasing incidence of drugs was not enough to merit new

laws and expensive tests. James Bevan, the organisation's

senior medical consultant, said: "Drug testing is much more

complex than drink-driving tests." 

                                                   





Copyright 1998 Times Newspapers Ltd.