Drug drivers passing roadside tests

Almost one third of drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs were able to pass roadside 'sobriety' tests, new research has revealed.

Research conducted by Glasgow University found that a significant number of drivers stopped by the police on suspicion of driving under the influence of drink or drugs were able to successfully complete the Field Impairment Tests, despite some having drugs such as heroin in their system.

Field Impairment Tests test a person's ability to carry out tasks, involving balance, judgement and ability to follow complex instructions. However, they do not test for the presence of specific substances in the body.

The tests are based on techniques used by police to detect drink drivers before the introduction of breath tests thirty years ago.

The RAC Foundation said that there was an "urgent need" to roll out roadside drug-testing equipment to detect drug drivers, because drug driving was increasing across the UK, particularly among drivers aged between 17-24.

The RAC said that more than a quarter of young people in London know someone who has driven after taking illegal drugs and one in ten say that their friends do it regularly.

A recent Manchester survey found that 45% of drivers questioned had driven while under the influence of drugs, while 68% had been a passenger in a car driven by someone high on drugs.

Sue Nicholson, Head of Campaigns for the RAC Foundation, said: "There has been a sharp increase in the number of young drivers killed on our roads, and we suspect drug-driving may play a large part in this.

"The latest research shows that some drug-drivers can escape detection by the Field Impairment Tests. While these are the best tests we currently have available to us, we believe there is an urgent need to improve detection techniques and equipment available to our police."

(KMcA)