POLICE BACK DRUGS QUIZ FOR DRIVERS

POLICE have supported a call from driving instructors for the introduction
of a drugs questionnaire as concern grows over the use by drivers of both
illicit and prescribed substances.

As a pilot project was launched in Tayside yesterday to increase the
awareness of the effects of drugs on drivers, it was disclosed that some
instructors have terminated lessons because of suspicions that their pupils
have been under the influence of drugs.

Recent Government statistics indicate that among all road users, medicinal
drugs made up 6 per cent of fatalities and illicit drugs, mainly cannabis,
accounted for 16 per cent of deaths on the road. The combined total is
almost equal to deaths involving alcohol.

Over the past decade, there has been a fourfold increase in illicit drug
taking in road accident victims. A quarter of all drivers killed had either
prescribed or illicit drugs in their bodies.

The Tayside project, prepared by Maggie Taylor, a final-year student at
Dundee University, Tayside Police, Dundee Drugs Prevention team and the
Driving Standards Agency, is aimed at drawing attention to the dangers of
all drugs to new drivers at the time of their test.

Leaflets which will be passed out by instructors will, in addition to banned
substances, concentrate on a range of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs.

It is hoped that once the project is evaluated, it might be extended to
include information being available at petrol stations and pharmacies.

Alan Lockhart, chairman of the driving instructors' Scottish council, said:
"Some members have terminated lessons early and taken their pupils home.

"While you can smell drink you cannot detect drugs except by the reactions
of the driver. I think for any new driver we should have some kind of
questionnaire where they declare whatever drugs, medical or over the
counter, they are on."

Tayside's assistant chief constable, Bob McMillan, said the issue had to be
investigated. Research did not indicate the age profile of people involved
in accidents where drugs were concerned.

"If we do find when we examine the age profile that accidents are happening
in the older range involving medicinal drugs, then that is something which
will require looking into.

"In the long term I think the risks are just as high with prescribed
medicines and drugs as they are with illicit substances."

The head of the drugs prevention team, Rita Keyte, said prescribed drugs
produced a number of side effects including drowsiness and an impaired
ability to do simple tasks. Research had shown that anti-depressants lowered
work performance and it was likely they would have the same effect on
someone's ability to drive safely.

"At this time of year people are taking cough medicines - some of which can
cause drowsiness - painkillers and antibiotics. We do not always know what
effects a combination of drugs will produce but the message must be to err
on the side of caution and ask a doctor or pharmacist for details of side
effects. People should also read labels carefully."

Roadside practicality tests of two drug screening devices are to begin next
month involving four UK police forces: Strathclyde, Cleveland. Lancashire
and Sussex.

The roads minister, Baroness Hayman, said this purpose of the trials was not
to test motorists for the presence of drugs initially, but to assess the
suitability of the devices for general day-to-day police work.

Checked-by: Rolf Ernst