ONE IN FOUR FAIL DRUG-DRIVE TEST

A QUARTER of Scottish motorists tested during a police campaign were found
to be driving under the influence of drugs.

The discovery was made when all eight Scottish police forces recently
targeted drug-drivers over a 48-hour period as part of the nationwide Know
the Score campaign. Police revealed that 25% of drivers failed new tests to
check on the scale of the problem.

The tests, which were part of a pilot project, were carried out by officers
trained in 'field impairment techniques', which look for tell-tale signs
that a driver is high on illegal drugs or under the influence of
prescription medication.

Colin McKerracher, Assistant Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police, said
everyone had to 'realise their responsibilities and the dangers involved',
adding: 'Driving a vehicle under the influence of any drug which causes
impairment, including prescribed medication, has to be addressed.

'The government has set targets for substantial road casualty reductions by
2010, and tackling drug-driving will form part of the police action to meet
those targets, alongside educating the public and enforcing drug-driving
legislation.

'I would encourage members of the public not to drive whilst under the
influence of any drug and I appeal to anybody with knowledge of any
motorist doing this, to report it to the police.'

The Know The Score campaign has been organised jointly with the Scottish
Executive, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities and drugs campaigners.

The initiative also has the backing of the Scottish Prison Service, the
Crown Office and customs and excise.

Tests on drug-drivers take around 10 minutes and include:

- - Examination of the pupils -- where abnormally sized pupils would suggest
the driver has taken drugs

- - The Romberg test -- where the subject is required to tilt their head
back, close their eyes and estimate when a 30 second period has elapsed

- - Walk and turn test -- where the subject walks nine steps heel-to-toe
along an imaginary line

- - Standing test -- where the subject's ability to stand on one leg for 30
seconds is assessed

- - And the finger-to-nose test -- where the subject has to touch their nose
with their index finger.

Fife's Assistant Chief Constable David Mellor said police chiefs had
considered using sweat, saliva or urine tests but ruled them out as
unsuitable as they could only work if a set legal limit was given for each
drug.

He said the current 'psycho-motor' tests were 'effective and accurate'.
Research by the Scottish Executive last year showed that 85% of clubbers
admitted driving after using drugs.

Strathclyde Police say that 18% of all specimens sent to police labs for
drink-driving offences contain traces of illegal drugs.