CRACKDOWN ON DRUG-DRIVING

Police in the Irish Republic are cracking down on motorists suspected of
driving under the influence of illegal drugs. The operation, where drivers
are tested for traces of illegal substances, is part of the ongoing
campaign against drink driving in the country.

The latest campaign to curb deaths on Irish roads comes after figures
suggested the number of drivers under the influence of drugs was on the
rise and that suitable action by the authorities was not being carried out.

In the past, gardai have only tested motorists for drugs if it was thought
that a driver's ability had been impaired.

However, the head of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, Denis Cusack, said
drivers should be tested for traces of illegal drugs as certain substances
reduced the ability to judge distance and speed.

"At present, there is no limit set for drugs as there is for alcohol," he said.

"It is still very much based on the opinion of an individual garda that a
person was incapable of driving and under the influence of drugs.

Professor Cusack, who is based at University College Dublin, added that if
the new campaign was to succeed new legislation was required to allow for
offending motorists to be punished.

Penalty

A recent study was carried out in which samples were taken from 2,000
suspected drink-drivers.

The results are due to be made available to the government to decide how to
proceed with new laws.

"At the moment, if someone has a level of between 80 milligrams and 100mg
of alcohol in their blood they are over the limit," said Mr Cusack.

"The penalty becomes more severe if it goes over 100mg and then again more
severe if over 150mg.

"So we need to ask if there should be a stiffer penalty if someone tests
positive for alcohol and another drug."

Under the influence

He added: "At present that is not provided for in law but I am sure that is
something that will be looked at."

Previous research has shown an increase in the number of people driving
while under the influence of drugs.

"Perhaps that is not surprising because there is an increase in the number
of drugs used generally in society, particularly cannabis and ecstasy," he
said.

"These are among the drugs that are being seen in the tests.

"It is important to stress that alcohol is still the major problem when it
comes to driving under the influence."