DRUG TAKERS USED IN DRIVING TESTS

REGULAR cannabis users are taking part in tests to investigate the effects
of drugs on driving, the Government admitted yesterday.

Pure quantities of the drug imported from America will be given to 16 users
at the Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) in Crowthorne, Berks, where they
will be asked to perform a series of tasks on a computerised driving
simulator. The project leader, Dr Rob Tunbridge, said: "We are using regular
drug users because previous tests in the US have shown that first-time users
tend to fall over and feel ill."

The results are expected to be published in April and a follow-up series of
tests involving cannabis and alcohol will take place later this year. Dr
Tunbridge said: "Logically, the effects of amphetamines and particularly
ecstasy are the next basis for research. But those drugs are not turning up
in research into road accidents and a long-term policy on roadside drug
screening is a far more important priority."

Trials of roadside screening devices and drug impairment tests were carried
out by six police forces last year. Although the results of the screening
devices - sweat and saliva testing - were inconclusive, the impairment tests
had a positive rate, after blood sample analysis, of 20 per cent. Roadside
breath alcohol tests generally produce a 12 per cent positive rate.

The admission follows the publication of the RAC Report on Motoring, which
suggested that driving under the influence of drugs was as big a problem as
drink driving among young people.