Drug driving tests to be launched in Ireland

Date: 9/10/2012

Gardai in Ireland will soon be able to test motorists suspected to be driving under the influence of drugs.

As part of the new Road Traffic Bill, officers will be able to ask drivers to carry out simple impairment tests such as walking in a straight line and take them to the station for further testing if they fail.

Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar announced the measure at the Road Safety Authority's annual academic lecture, which was focused around fitness to drive, reports The Irish Times.

An Garda Síochána has found that drug driving is on the increase year-on-year in Ireland and it is keen to cut down on those driving under the after cannabis use.

Mr Varadkar said he was determined to "move ahead as quickly as possible with implementing measures that will detect and deter drug driving."

The drug testing equipment to be used is being examined by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to make sure that it is effective.

As part of the Road Traffic Bill, which is being drawn up by the Irish Department of Transport, a provision will be put in place to test unconscious drivers after a crash if it is deemed necessary.

Research has found that accidents are twice as likely to happen to drivers who smoke cannabis than those who don't.

Illegal drugs are not the only problem either, as Mr Varadkar highlighted that prescription and over-the-counter medicines can also impair driving.

Tackling drug driving is not the only aim of the Bill, as plans are being put in place to increase the number of penalty points handed to someone found using their mobile phone while in control of a vehicle.

Mr Varadkar said that no decision had been made yet as to how many points this will change to, but that there will be an increase.

He said: "The key thing is to change the culture to ensure that people know that it is unacceptable to do this."

Posted by Sarah Bailey

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