DRUGS AND DRIVING

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE | Drug users face a clampdown

Tough measures to crack down on drivers who take drugs will shortly be introduced by Police forces around the country. Inside Out looks at the growing drugs and driving problem.

Most of us are familiar with the laws relating to drink driving, but the law is about to get equally tough on those driving under the influence of drugs.

Police forces are about to introduce sobriety testing for drivers suspected of taking drugs under the new Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.

Under the new moves, the police will be able to require a motorist to take a new five-part test if there's a suspicion of drugs.

It's bad news for the growing number of drug drivers who currently avoid detection, risking the lives of other road users.

Under the influence

One million people in the UK use a Class A drug regularly whilst another three million admit to using cannabis.

But what happens when they drive home under the influence of drugs?

Across the UK a growing number of drivers are involved in road accidents have illegal drugs in their system according to figures from the RAC Foundation.

A life cut short - George Fisher was a victim of a drugged driver

Police forces are finding that in many fatal accidents, the victims showed evidence of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or prescription drugs.

Durham Police in North East England took blood screenings from 23 people killed in road accidents, over the course of a year.

Their findings make for frightening reading.

The Police samples revealed that 50% of drivers had traces of either cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or a prescription drug.

The figures suggest that the drugs driving problem is becoming more prevalent than drink driving.

The consequences can be fatal for other road users and pedestrians. The Fisher family in Blyth in Northumberland know all about the human cost of drugs and driving.

Their 24-year-old son George was killed in a hit and run accident two years ago.

The driver had been doing 50 mph in a 30 mph speed limit area, and was later found to have traces of drugs in his blood stream.

Drug dangers

The dangers of drugs and driving are borne out by Dr Nigel Cooper, a Pathologist.

"Somewhere between one in ten and one in five deaths from my personal experience in the last year or so have involved illicit drugs of one sort.

Drug users often don't think about the severity of their actions

"That's probably two or three times more than it was ten years ago."

Recent figures released by the Government support this view.

Eighteen % of 1999 road crash victims were known to have been driving with drugs in their system compared to 3% in 1989.

Many drivers appear to be ignorant of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs.

Others don't event think about it as Paul Etherington, Traffic Patrol Sergeant from Durham Police points out.

"I'm not sure if everyone even understands that it is an offence to drive under the influence of drugs.

"Young people possibly don't know or aren't aware of that. We've got to get that message across."

Cracking down on crime

At present, police officers have no effective roadside technology to detect drugs - a breathalyser is useless. No equivalent "drugaliser" exists.

Instead they rely on recognition tests, observation and experience.

Between 1985-99 the number of people involved in fatal accidents who tested positive for cannabis increased fourfold from 3% to 12%.

Drug users risk arrest if they fail the voluntary tests

Cannabis is the most frequently detected drug in fatal accidents.

The drug is known to impair vision, perception and co-ordination.

Police recognise that it is vital that any change in the law on cannabis is combined with a very high-profile, multimedia campaign.

In 2003 the British Medical Association called on the government to co-ordinate scientific research to establish effective drug testing devices as soon as possible.

It says drugs - both illegal and legal - can affect the ability to drive safely.

Taking the drugs test

The new Field Impairment Test (FIT) is designed to identify those driving under the influence of drugs.

The test borrows on the experience of Police in the USA who, without the breathalyser, have used it to catch drunken as well as drug abusing drivers.

They are expected to be able identify the drug which is causing the bad driving.

There is no such requirement in the United Kingdom.

Instead motorists will be asked to undertake five exercises designed to reveal symptoms of drug taking.

In the first test a suspect's pupils are examined for signs of dilation or constriction.

Police concede it is difficult for even a sober person to pass easily.

Other tests measure the ability to co-ordinate two tasks simultaneously.

In the Romburg Test officers ask motorists to stand up straight and tilt their head back, close their eyes and count to 30.

Swaying and losing count are signs of an impaired ability to drive.

Next, suspects have to walk nine paces in a straight line, heel to toe, in a scene reminiscent of many a Hollywood movie.

After standing on one leg, alternating between left and right, it is time for the last test.

In this test, officers ask a suspect to touch the end of their nose with their index finger three times, using both left and right hands.

Blood tests

So what happens if a driver does badly in the five-point test?

At present if a driver alerts suspicion, a doctor is called and further tests and assessments will be made.

This may include a blood test although the cost of administering one of these is about £250.

The Police hope the new sobriety tests will deter those under the influence of drugs from taking to the wheel.

The tests are currently voluntary but they will become compulsory later this year.

How drugs can affect driving

Drugs can affect drivers in a number of ways ranging from impaired concentration to poor reaction times:

Cannabis

Impaired concentration resulting in slower driver reaction times. Impaired steering control and co-ordination. The drug can also induce feelings of paranoia, drowsiness and disorientation.

Cocaine

This stimulant drug can result in drivers misjudging speed and stopping distances. The drug can give drivers a feeling of overconfidence, which can lead to aggressive driving and increased risk taking.

Ecstasy

This stimulant drug has hallucinogenic properties and can distort the driver's vision and affect concentration. Drivers under the influence of "E" show a significant decrease in their awareness of road dangers followed by severe fatigue the following day.

LSD:

This hallucinogenic drug can strongly influence a driver's senses. Drivers may react to objects or sounds that aren't there, placing themselves and other road users in danger.

Opiates

Opiates lead to slower reaction time, lethargy, sleepiness and impaired co-ordination.

Tranquillisers

These drugs may impair driver reaction times and can cause drowsiness.

Getting across the message

Inside Out filmed a young woman who had been taken in by Police following a hit and run accident in County Durham.

The woman clearly had difficulty in passing the drugs tests which she took voluntarily.

She later admitted to having taken five Ecstasy tablets.

Several months later she's a reformed character - she's given up drugs and is now shocked and appalled at her behaviour.

Taking the test - a police officer demonstrates the new measures

"I can't believe that I allowed myself to get like that. I can't believe how stupid, irresponsible and immature I was. I should have gone to prison for that," she says.

"It's done me the world of good. I'm a different person.

"I haven't just put my life at risk, I've put innocent people's lives at risk without even thinking of the consequences.

"It could have been a child... It could've been another human life not just a metal post."

Sadly it's too late for the Fisher family in Blyth. Their son George died in the prime of his young life.

Hopefully the new measures will help to detect and deter drivers under the influence of drugs from leaving more families without a beloved son or daughter.

The measures have now been approved by the Government and should be operational within the next two years.