I have long thought that there should be more screening methods for driving under the influence of drugs. Whereas it is easy to screen motorists for drink driving, police currently have to prove that a driver’s actions have been impaired by drug use. Road safety bodies, however, feel that existing laws covering the offence are inadequate and need to be reviewed. A panel of scientists and academic experts will look into whether a new criminal offence should be created to deal with the issue and whether it is possible to gauge how different drugs impair a drivers performance and reactions behind the wheel. Currently suspected drug users are required to undertake exercises such as counting out 30 seconds and walking in a straight line as well as being examined by a doctor and providing a blood test but as some of these tests cannot be done at the roadside the substances are often out of a drivers system by the time they are tested. With around 10% of 17-24 years olds admitting to having driven soon after taking illegal drugs last year it seems a change in the law could be long overdue.
