Tackling ‘hidden’ menace of drug-driving

Combatting drug driving has come a step closer with the unveiling of a mobile drug testing device at final week’s Roads Policing Conference.

Drink driving has grow to be socially unacceptable, with the quantity of arrests and accidents falling in recent years. But the authorities are increasingly concerned that wider drug use in society as a complete is leading to higher incidences of drug driving.

New penalties for drug driving – which contains driving below the influence of legal prescription drugs and more than-the-counter treatments – come into force in March.

Going to pot

The latest testing kit, the Securetec DrugWipe 3S (recognized as ‘Drugwipe’), is the 1st portable device that can detect the presence of cannabis and cocaine – 2 of the most frequent substances employed by drug drivers.

It operates by analysing a small quantity of saliva and outcomes are indicated by the appearance of lines on the device – a lot like a pregnancy test.

The device will cut down the time it requires to determine no matter whether drivers are under the influence. If the test reads good, the police will take the person to the police station for a blood sample, which will be utilized in any subsequent prosecution.

Penalty decision

The drug driving penalty regime coming into force in March permits for 12 months’ disqualification, a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 6 months in prison, or both.

It also sets limits for 8 illegal drugs at really low levels to tackle illegal drug use and driving, and is the biggest shake-up of drug driving laws for 85 years.

Taking guidance from physicians and medical specialists, the government decided not to enforce a zero tolerance policy in case of accidental exposure to drugs, for instance inhaling cannabis in an open space or having traces still present in the technique despite the side effects wearing off.

Acid test

The new limits consist of 10 micrograms of cocaine, 2 micrograms of cannabis and one particular microgram of LSD per litre of blood.

For prescription drugs, limits incorporate 80 micrograms of morphine, 500 micrograms of methadone and 550 micrograms of diazepam per litre.

In July last year, the government issued recommendations to healthcare experts on how clinical tips ought to be provided to individuals on prescribed medication where side effects can impair driving.

Tackling ‘hidden’ menace of drug-driving