Police Line Up Drug-Drive Tests

Scottish police are to test drivers they suspect of taking of drugs - by
asking them to walk in a straight line, touch their nose and stand on one leg.

These are three of the five roadside tests being introduced by police to
establish whether motorists have taken illegal substances.

The measures are also aimed at spotting which drugs have been taken by drivers.

Those suspected of being under the influence will be arrested and examined
by a police surgeon, and may be asked to provide a blood or urine sample.

And Strathclyde Police's assistant chief constable Colin McKerracher has
warned that the sight of motorists being asked to undertake the tests will
become increasingly common in Scotland.

The field impairment tests (FIT) are being introduced under a training
scheme for Scottish traffic officers.

"This is the first time that the Scottish Police Service has used
structured tests to ascertain evidence of driving impairment through
drugs," said Mr McKerracher.

"There has been sufficient evidence to indicate that people do indeed
consume drugs and drive, but there is little information about how much
impairment this causes.

"The effects of alcohol on driving performance are well documented but we
are also now focusing on the potential threat to road safety posed by
motorists who are prepared to drive after having consumed drugs.

"It is important that our officers are adequately equipped to identify the
signs of impairment in order that the police can tackle this complex issue."

A study by the Scottish Executive indicated that nearly 10% of drivers
under 40 admitted to driving while under the influence of drugs.

First Minister Henry McLeish and Scottish Secretary Helen Liddell attended
the launch of the training programme on Friday at Strathclyde Police's Road
Policing Complex in Glasgow.

Officers from all eight Scottish police forces have already completed an
instructor's course which will allow them to train other officers to carry
out the tests.

There are five tests which will be carried out:

Examination to see whether the driver's pupil size is constricted or dilated

Romberg test for balance and co-ordination, asking the suspect to estimate
a period of 30 seconds

Suspect asked to walk in a straight line for nine steps, turn and walk back
to test balance and co-ordination

Suspect asked to stand on one leg for 30 seconds

Suspect asked to touch the tip of their nose with the tip of their index
finger to test for balance and depth perception.

FIT tests have been used to test for drug driving in the United States
since the 1970s.

The UK Government announced its intention to introduce the tests last
August after successful pilot schemes in England, Wales and Scotland.

The 1999 trial in Strathclyde showed that officers had great success in
identifying drug drivers - and even telling which drug they had been using.

Mr McLeish welcomed the "simple but effective" tests.

Urgent action

"Drug-drivers are a danger to themselves and all road users. That danger is
here and now," he said.

"That's why I called for urgent action to haul them off our roads and
hammer home the message that this reckless behaviour is completely
unacceptable."

Mrs Liddell added: "These tests are being introduced by police forces
across the United Kingdom.

"They are a powerful tool in our battle against the drug menace that
blights our communities and makes our roads unsafe."

A drug test similar to the breathalyser, which checks alcohol levels, is
currently under development.