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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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UK: First driver in Essex on new drug charge
Carl Eve Essex Evening Gazette, [UK]
Thursday 14 Feb 2002 A MID-Essex man has become the first in Essex to be charged with driving while unfit through drugs, since field of vision tests were introduced in autumn. Ronald Lipscome, 52 of Withy Windle, South Woodham Ferrers, was charged over an accident in December, when his Honda Civic was in collision with roadside furniture van in vicarage Lane, Great Baddow. He was charged earlier this week and will appear before Chelmsford Magistrates today. The unemployed man was also charged with driving without insurance. No-one was injured in the road accident. A spokesman for Essex Police said: "As part of the field impairment test, motorist are ask to perform a series of exercises to ascertain whether their ability to drive is impaired by drink or drugs. GAUGE One of the five tests includes a pupillary examination. The officer at the scene will check the size of the pupils against a set gauge. Any pupil size in excess of 6.5mm, or less than three is considered to be abnormal. The spokesman said: "Basically, they look for extremes, which along with other tests give us an indication of whether they have taken drugs." However, the spokesman stressed the impairment tests carried out by the force was not restricted to illegal drugs. There are also many prescription drugs and over he counter medicines, which may affect peoples ability to drive. On finding abnormal results, officers have the power of arrest and can force drivers to have blood or urine samples.
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