Conservatives demand tougher action against drug drivers
GETTY Tories have demanded Nicola Sturgeon crackdown on drug driving in Scotland
Legal driving limits for drugs were introduced in England and Wales two years ago. Police south of the Border can also use “drugalyser” roadside testing kits, allowing the speedier detection of illegal substances such as heroin, cocaine or cannabis. Currently it is an offence to drive while “impaired by drugs” in Scotland, but there is no specific limit.
And despite drugalyser technology being trialled almost a decade ago, Holyrood has so far failed to follow suit. Scottish Conservatives are calling for a limit for legal drugs such as prescription medicines to be introduced alongside a zero tolerance approach to driving on illicit substances. The move has previously been backed by parents including Janice Ward, whose 20-year old daughter Rachael was killed by a drug driver.
Brian Redfern was high on amphetamines when he veered suddenly into Rachael’s path as she came home from work in January 2010.
The SNP Government needs to take action without further delay Douglas Ross, justice spokesperson
The drugs in his system were only detected when he was taken to hospital. He was later jailed for seven years. Scottish Tory justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: “The evidence is clear - drug driving is just as dangerous as drink driving. Yet in Scotland, the government has simply failed to respond to this menace on our roads. “We need immediate action now to bring a halt to the growing number of deaths and injuries caused by people on drugs getting behind the wheel.
GETTY Police officers in England use 'drugalysers' to catch drug drivers
“That means improved legislation to tackle driving under the influence of all dangerous substances, and a zero tolerance approach to anyone foolish enough to drive having taken drugs. “We must also give our police the resources and equipment to put this into practice. “Quite simply, Scotland has lagged behind other parts of the UK in failing to tackle this issue.
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“The SNP Government needs to take action without further delay.” The 2015 clampdown south of the Border made it an offence to drive after taking certain controlled drugs, both illicit and some prescription-only substances. Since then, arrests have soared. Police Scotland have to rely “field impairment tests” to detect drug drivers such as asking motorists to stand on one leg, walk along a line or check to see if their pupils are dilated.
TWITTER Douglas Ross argued that drug driving is just as dangerous as drink driving
Suspect must then be taken to a police station for blood tests, by which time the drugs could be gone from their system. Prosecutors also have to prove a person’s driving was “impaired” by drugs to secure a conviction. In February, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon told MSPs her government was awaiting an analysis of official reports on the scheme in England and Wales before deciding whether to do the same in Scotland.