Scientists Advise Government to Criminalise Driving Under Influence of Drugs

Jan 6 2012

Signing up for a car finance deal on your dream wheels does not give you the right to go out and kill other motorists by driving under the influence of drugs.  This message is about to be brought home more strongly after a group of scientists advised the Government to make driving under the influence of cocaine, cannabis or ecstasy a criminal offence.

The panel of experts have drawn up recommendations about the proposed law that will criminalise driving under the influence of drugs.  They are busy considering whether it is scientifically possible to determine maximum drug levels in someoneís blood, similar to alcohol limits, or whether any amount of drugs found in a driverís blood should be considered a criminal offence.

The move follows an admission by the Prime Minister that the Government did not act soon enough to curb driving under the influence of drugs ñ an offence that causes hundreds of road deaths every year.

In the United States, many states have a zero-tolerance policy regarding driving after having used drugs.  In the UK Sir Peter North recommended much tougher action in this regard last year.

Under current legislation in the UK it is notoriously difficult for the police to prove someone has been driving under the influence of drugs.  A doctor must first assess the driver before a screening test can be carried out ñ something that is often not practically possible.

The Home Office is currently considering the use of saliva-based drug testing kits to carry out roadside tests on drivers whom they suspect of having taken drugs.

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