Drug Driving

[Drisgirl]

In our area -Tayside - the police have already warned they are going to be on the ball for morning after over the alcohol limits as well as the usual night time ones.Fair do's - I agree.

They are also making a deal about drugs.Is this going to be so easy to administer.I know people who have a joint or two and drive.I dont think this is acceptable as I have hallucinated with it (ashamed - dont do it now).Cannabis stays in your system for 28 days so how can they determine when the joint was taken.Any other drug for that matter.

Obviously on the night a high blood sample and a GP will be able to determine if its recent but the morning after?

Are the Police on a hiding to nothing here or just issuing empty threats?

[woofgang]

there are function tests to see if you are still under the influence, the touch your nose and walk a straight line type stuff. That's what they are using here (hampshire)

[woofgang]

PS here they are also talking about making a deal of people whose performance is affected by prescribed and OTC meds, not just the illegal stuff IMHO, if this is really about safety then quite right too!

[Oneeyedvic]

A whilw ago they showed that sleep deprivation could be worse than drinking alcohol (I beleive it was 5th gear with Tiff - not a proper experiment but food for thought).

It will be interesting to see how they can measure performance of that.

There was talk a while ago about a swab test on the forehead which would pick up certain drugs - not sure if that ever got into production.

Am guessing that if they suspect you are off your head, they will tak eyou doen the station for a blood check.

[Loosehead]

I heard they've got some sort of test to detect dope and the law is in place to handle it so I don't think the threats are empty.

[Dolly1308]

Excellent idea ,I know someone who was luoky enough to come out of a car accident ok ( he hit a power pole ) and he was taking drugs at the time .He was driving .

[Drisgirl]

Vic - Re the sleep deprivation.Am I right in thinking that is what caused the Selby train crash resulting in the driver of the car getting quite a hefty jail sentence.

This is from memory - I hope I have the right info.If so it looks like this could be recognised already.It could be akin to having a few joints.

[Oneeyedvic]

Drisgirl - yes that is what caused Selby. Point is though, a lot of people do fall asleep when driving - not sure you can legislate for it though as if a policeman stops you, you would become alert very quickly.

[undercovers]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4595949.stm

I presume the instrument would be calibrated to detect a reasonably high level, probably only able to detect quite a lot anyway. Think its a great idea

[Drisgirl]

Undercovers - Thanks for that.This test along with function tests already illustrated by woofgang would be ideal within hours of drugs being taken.

Its the morning after test I cant see them proving because your functions would be normal and supposing the last drug you had taken was 2 weeks previously or the night before it would still be in your bloodstream.Do you reckon its really only alcohol they are gunning for in the morning after tests.(I am 100% in favour of this BTW)just perplexed how they can fairly administer it.

Like what woofgang righly said also was even prescription drugs and over the counter sometimes advise you not to drive.Its a bit of a hornets nest at moment - I think I'll just not drive for the next 4 weeks (in case I've had a cold remedy or such like or a sherry trifle)

[Grunty]

The police have been testing drivers for drugs for many years (or I should say asking laboratories to do so). This has been done by analysing urine samples. The main problem has been the roadside test to help them decide whether they need to arrest the driver and require samples. It is pleasing that police are being trained to screen drivers for drugs at the roadside. This will mean fewer arrests of drivers who are ill and should be sent to hospital. It will also mean fewer releases of guilty drivers. It is also a good sign, as woofgang says, that the emphasis is changing from the presence of the drug to evidence of actual impairment.

[Drisgirl]

Grunty - I am gonna go off thread completely but it abosulutely backs up what you said.

This is true - a guy who works for my brother in a Major Corporation (cant say any thing else begins with M and produce tyr....)and is his late 40's went to ASDA and didnt feel well,Give the store their due he insisted he was OK but the police followed him and the the long and the short of it the guy had sufferred a stroke and had it nor been for the police pulling him over he would have been dead.He has been in hospital and rehab for months.The prognosis is exc.The Police saved his life - credit where its due cos he was driving erraticlly(sp).

See they are good guys!!!

[Drisgirl]

He had a stroke!

[LATECOMER]

Hi Drisgirl.The Police are always on a hiding to nothing!! I feel sorry for them ( except the ones holding speed guns!!!!! ) But just how much Cannabis do you have to take to hallucinate on it?? I tried it, felt dizzy and soon afterwards went for a liquid laugh..! Must go there is a man in uniform knocking at my door.......