Moves to speed up drug-driving test

Date: 24/04/1997

By Chris Johnstone

WORK on developing a roadside drugs test for motorists which would be as easy to use as the drink-driving breathalyser has been put on the fast track by transport officials.

In a bid to cut the increasing toll of drug-related deaths and injuries, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Transport (DGVII) has earmarked research funds to develop a fast and efficient drugs test alongside interested national administrations.

The move follows a recent Commission communication on its road safety strategy for 1997-2001 which suggested that EU accident figures could be cut by 16&percent; if the drugs problem were to disappear overnight. “Police forces across the Community have identified this as a major issue,” said one official, adding: “The UK police have said that the use of drugs by drivers is so significant that it is beginning to approach the same seriousness nation-wide as alcohol.”

The UK-based Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) highlighted the problem last month, citing a forensic service study which suggested that up to 18&percent; of all negative drink-driving tests could prove positive for drugs. A study carried out eight years ago found that 8&percent; of all fatal accident victims had been taking illicit or prescription drugs, and added: “The public perception of drug driving is, quite understandably given the lack of information, one of blissful ignorance.”

Police are currently held back from pursuing drivers they suspect of being on drugs by the lack of a suitable test, the need to prove a link between drug use and an accident or dangerous driving, and the risk that the delay in arranging a station examination could allow the signs of drug-taking to wear off.

But some progress has been made. A breath test being developed by the UK Home Office and private firms, and skin tests pioneered in Germany, are showing promise as possible devices to detect drugs.

Officials point out that problems can arise not only from deliberate drug consumption, but also from motorists taking medicines without being aware of the possible side effects. They say that better labelling could help combat this.

In a separate move, Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock is calling on EU governments to close the loophole which allows drivers banned in one country to take the wheel in another. “Universal disqualification is something we should seriously encourage and try to get agreement on,” Kinnock told MEPs last week.

But the Commissioner's hands are tied on this issue, which falls under the banner of justice and home affairs policy - an area where EU governments are, for the time being at least, in the driving seat.

Some member states, especially in southern Europe and Greece in particular, have tried to curb any progress towards universal disqualification, despite a series of cases where banned drivers have been killed while on holiday.