FESTIVE CRACKDOWN AS DRUG-DRIVING SOARS

DRIVING under the influence of drugs has increased 10-fold in Scotland
because of an "explosion" in recreational use, according to new research.

At least 300 people a year are now reported for driving after taking
drugs such as cannabis and heroin, compared with around 30 in 1985.

Ministers plan to crack down on the offence over the festive period. A
new advertising campaign about the dangers of drink and drug driving
will be launched next week.

Hundreds of traffic officers across the country have been trained how
to use US-style impairment tests to assess drivers who act
suspiciously, but do not smell of alcohol.

The campaign will include those who take prescription and
over-the-counter drugs which affect driving ability, such as flu
remedies which cause drowsiness.

In the past, if someone drove badly but passed a breathalyser test,
they would have been released. Now officers will assess balance, pupil
dilation, and co-ordination at the roadside.

If the driver is unable to do simple tasks like walking in a straight
line and turning, they will be taken in for an examination and blood
test.

Officers believe the figures represent the tip of the iceberg and far
more drug drivers will be caught out by the roadside tests.

The focus on drug driving follows Scottish Executive research which
revealed more than a quarter of those who use drugs have driven while
under the influence, and 5% had done so in the last 12 months.

The study, conducted by Dr John Oliver, reader in forensic science and
medicine at Glasgow University, found that most of the drivers found
to be under the influence of drugs had taken substances such as
Valium, cannabis, and me-thadone.

A small percentage was found to have taken prescription drugs such as
travel sickness tablets which cause drowsiness. More recently, ecstasy
and cocaine have been found in drivers' blood.

"It has always been illegal, but there has been an explosion of abused
drugs since the 1980s," said Dr Oliver, who conducted the research for
the Department of Transport. "As drug use has increased in society, so
too has drug-related driving. Figures show a 10-fold increase in the
last 18 years.

"It is important to remember that every drug which is going to impair
driving will be detected. I would support moves to enhance the
warnings on certain medicines. "If a medicine makes you drowsy, do not
drive. Technology means we can detect all these drugs in blood, urine,
and saliva."

Government research shows that, in 2000, 18% of those killed in road
traffic accidents had taken illegal drugs. Comparative research in the
1980s revealed that just 3% of victims had taken drugs.

Fiona Murray, director of the Scottish road safety campaign, says it
is important for drivers to understand that it is dangerous and that
they will be prosecuted. "It is very difficult to convince lifestyle
cannabis users that it will impair their driving," she said. "Some of
them even think their driving has been improved because they are more
chilled."