Drug driving in Scotland

Sir, I recently lodged two parliamentary questions seeking answers and explanations on the issue of drug driving from the Scottish Government, as follows:

To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to address drug driving and, in light of the reported increase of this in England and Wales, what the trend is in Scotland.

To ask the Scottish Government whether it will set drug-driving limits and, if so, whether it will equip the police with the so-called ‘drugalyser’ devices that are in use in England and Wales.

In a 12-month period in England and Wales, nearly 8,000 drivers were caught driving under the influence of drugs, a jump from 52 per cent to 95 per cent in some cases.

Sir Peter North also published a review in 2010 where he concluded there was a significant drug problem with drug driving-related deaths and injuries in Great Britain.

The Scottish Government maintains there has not been a suitable roadside testing kit, yet police forces in England and Wales are using a ‘drugalyser’ which can detect levels of cannabis and cocaine at the roadside and 15 other illicit and prescribed medicines.

Police can still use the Field Impairment Test at the roadside and, if the driver fails, they can be arrested and taken to a police station where further tests can be carried out.

I have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and lodged a motion on this issue, but all to no avail to date.

David Stewart, regional MSP for the Highlands and Islands