Anti-drug driving campaign heralds new testing procedures

The DOE and the PSNI have launched an anti-drug driving road safety campaign, in the wake of a shocking three-year study that revealed almost a quarter of the drivers and riders killed on Northern Ireland's roads had drugs in their bodies.

The main focus of the campaign is a £100,000 television commercial, entitled ‘Smashed’ which will show viewers the Field Impairment Test process. Police officers will use this test procedure at the roadside to detect the effects of a variety of illegal ‘recreational’ drugs and certain prescription drugs.

Speaking at the launch of ‘Smashed’ at the launch held in Belfast club Milk, in Tomb Street, Chief Inspector, Brian Kee, deputy head of Road Policing Development Branch, said: “Drug driving is a growing threat to road safety. In 1997 we made 39 detections for drug driving. Last year there were 82. The most common – some 60 per cent – related to cannabis. But Ecstasy, cocaine and heroin were also found. In addition, there is a tendency for people to mix drugs and alcohol, which becomes an even more lethal mixture.”

Mr Kee said: “It is important to stress that someone’s ability to drive may be equally impaired by legal drugs prescribed by their doctor or those bought over the counter. These can be of great benefit to people’s health, but it important to read the instructions carefully.”

Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Angela Smith, said: “Drug-driving is widespread throughout Northern Ireland. Illegal drugs and prescription drugs can impair judgement, driving and ultimately kill. While the problems caused by drink drivers are well known, the battle against those who are unfit through other drugs is really just the beginning.”

She continued: “The DOE and the PSNI have developed an awareness campaign together, aimed at educating the public about the extent of drugs and driving in Northern Ireland. The aim of this campaign is to advise everyone that drugs driving is an emerging problem in Northern Ireland, that the police will now be actively carrying out Field Impairment Tests on drivers whom they suspect are driving under the influence of drugs and, if convicted, they will be fined, disqualified from driving or imprisoned. The campaign message is simple – ‘You’ll get smashed if you drive on drugs’".

(KMcA)