Tougher measures for drug drivers announced

A new drug driving Code of Practice means that drivers will be compelled to undertake roadside impairment tests if the police suspect they are driving under the influence of drugs.

The Code details how trained police officers must conduct tests to help judge whether someone may be unfit to drive. The tests include a pupilliary examination, the walk and turn test and the one-leg stand. Refusal to participate is an offence in the same way as failure to provide a breath test.

"Drug driving puts lives at danger and is as irresponsible as drink driving," road safety minister David Jamieson said. "Law abiding motorists are fed up with anti social drivers who put not only their own lives at risk but those of other innocent road users.

"Testing will mean that a trained officer will have more information to judge whether a driver may be impaired and more evidence when deciding whether to make an arrest."

The Code of Practice details the tests to be undertaken, how they should be administered, the kind of observations that may be made and the inferences that may be drawn. It also deals with training for police officers - more than half the forces in England, Scotland and Wales already have officers trained in impairment testing, and others are set to follow.

More @ http://www.dft.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2004_0165