Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, UK
According to the UK Telegraph, Britain’s government is no longer willing to let those who have illegal drugs in their system slip through any more checkpoints. It has let the Department of Transportation know that it is looking at creating a new law that would ensnare anyone with illegal drugs in their systems, as well as those whose driving is impaired by using legal, medicinal drugs such as sleeping pills.
A British company makes a “drugalyzer” that can detect amphetamines, cocaine, opiates, cannabis and methadone in a saliva sample. That machine is already in use in police stations, but a field unit would need to be approved by Britain’s Home Office.
Right now, those thought to be driving on drugs are given the same walk-the-line field used for perceived drunk drivers for decades before the Breathalyzer came along. Countries like Romania, Australia, and Italy already perform mobile drug testing. If enacted in Britain, the bill would likely help the authorities reign in the suspected 23% of drivers and 21% of riders in accidents who have “impairing” drugs in their systems.
[Source: The UK Telegraph]
UK looks to implement roadside drug testing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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UK looks to implement roadside drug testing – UK Auto News
