Health
Half of drivers believe that drug driving is a more common and serious problem than drink driving, according to a poll of 17,500 AA Populus panel members.
Over 50,000 drivers a year would fail roadside ‘drugalyzer’ tests if such devices were being used by UK police forces, according to a British company that has been conducting trials around the world.
Research from London-based Trimega Laboratories shows the device detects drug impairment in roughly half the number of drivers who fail breathalysers – which the Home Office puts at just over 100,000 annually for England and Wales.
Drugalyzers have yet to be type-approved in the UK but they are already being used by customs and police forces across Europe, in Australia, South Africa and the USA. The £1,400 device can detect cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and cannabis from a single saliva swab in around three minutes.
Trimega has found, in its roadblocks in South Africa for example, that not only were a fifth (19%) of motorists who tested positive for alcohol also drug-driving, but one in eight (12%) drivers who passed the breathalyser then failed the drugalyzer. Under normal law enforcement procedures these motorists would have likely been allowed to continue driving.
In the UK, the penalties for drug-driving are the same as drink-diving - i.e. up to £5,000 fine, ban and possible 12 month custodial sentence. However, police at present have to rely on the ‘FIT’ - or Field Impairment Test – to detain those they suspect to be unfit to drive through drugs, either illegal or prescription. This involves:
• Observing any pupil dilation.
• Counting out 30 seconds.
• Walking nine paces and back.
• Balancing on one leg.
• Touching nose with eyes closed.
Will someone please tell me why we do not have these devices in the UK?
Jackie Violet - Female First