Subj: Police start testing drivers for drugs

Date: Feb 11, 1998

Source: Sunday Times

Police start testing drivers for drugs

BY ARTHUR LEATHLEY, TRANSPORT CORRESPONDENT

ROADSIDE tests to discover how many motorists are
driving under the influence of drugs are to be tried out by
police. Almost one in three drivers killed is under the
influence of alcohol and one in five has traces of drugs in
the bloodstream.

Results from the first year of a three-year study are
expected to show that driving while under the influence of
drugs is six times more common than a decade ago, either
through illicit drug-taking or the increased use of
prescribed drugs.

Several police forces will be allowed to carry out roadside
drug tests to help to discover the scale of the problem.
Previously released figures have been based on tests
carried out on drivers killed in road accidents, which may
exaggerate the number.

Further extensive research is to be announced today by
Baroness Hayman, the Road Safety Minister, who is also
anxious to improve information about the problem,
especially among young people. Road safety groups and
motoring organisations are alarmed that drivers in their
twenties would never consider drinking and driving but are
prepared to sit behind the wheel after taking Ecstasy
tablets.

The move will make Britain a world leader in carrying out
widespread drug-testing. Only small trials have been
carried out in other countries, including Germany.

However, ministers are wary of taking tougher action
against drivers shown to have traces of drugs in their
system, because many substances remain in the
bloodstream for days - sometimes weeks - after they
cease to impair judgment.