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UK: Drivers to face roadside tests to see how stoned they are

Ananova

Saturday 05 Apr 2003

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The Government has promised legislation to test drivers suspected of being
under the influence of drugs.

Transport spokesman Lord McIntosh of Haringey told the House of Lords that
statutory limits for different drugs are being examined.

Lord McIntosh says further research, support for the police in enforcing
existing legislation, improved police powers, and targeted publicity and
education are all necessary.

Research shows 18% of fatal road accidents involving drivers show evidence
of illicit drugs, mainly cannabis. The figure for the use of both
prescribed and over-the-counter medicinal drugs is 6%.

The Government says it is difficult to provide accurate statistics however,
because there is no statutory limit which covers the whole range of drugs
which could affect driving.

Lord McIntosh said: "There will have to be powers to enforce roadside
testing for drugs-impairment and to have roadside drugs-screening. We
intend to address both those issues as soon as possible.

"Misuse of controlled drugs is increasing and we have to be concerned about
this in road safety terms. There are more things that we can and should be
doing"

"It is not that we are unwilling to make a statutory limit. There are
scientific problems in defining what such a limit would be. We have to look
at impairment of driving, rather than the presence of drugs which might or
might not impair driving."

Lord McIntosh was replying to the second reading debate on a Tory backbench
measure - the Prevention of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs Bill.

The Bill - which makes it an offence to drive while under the influence of
a controlled drug and gives powers to the police to undertake roadside drug
tests on drivers - was given an unopposed second reading.

 

 

 

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