Scottish doctors pile pressure on SNP over failure to tackle drug-driving
DBY JUDITH DUFFY
OCTORS’ leaders have urged the introduction of new legislation to tackle drug-driving in Scotland and prevent loss of life on the roads. The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said measures such as roadside “drugalyser” saliva tests are necessary to reduce levels of drug-driving on the nation’s roads.
The comments will add pressure on the Scottish Government, which has been accused of lagging behind England and Wales by failing to introduce both drug-driving limits and tests which can detect cannabis or cocaine. Labour MSP David Stewart also accused the government of “sitting on its hands” over the issue.
Dr Peter Bennie, chair of BMA Scotland, told the Sunday Herald: “While considerable progress has been made in reducing the number of deaths and serious injuries on Scotland’s roads, the BMA believes that further measures are necessary to reduce levels of drug-driving.
“We would be very supportive of legislation introducing drug-driving limits in Scotland and believe that such action could help to prevent lives being put at risk.”
Scottish ministers have the powers to set drugdrive limits for Scotland but say they are waiting on evaluation of evidence from the measures which were introduced south of the Border two years ago.
The new drug-driving limits were introduced in England and Wales following a consultation, which included Scotland. At the time of the consultation – four years ago – the Scottish Government stated the intention was to look at bringing forward regulations to set drug-driving limits here.
Announcing the consultation, the then-justice minister Kenny MacAskill said: “The Scottish Government is determined to do everything we can to make our roads safer and save lives.
“We have already announced our intention to lower the drink-drive limit, but we must not lose sight of the problems caused by drug-drivers.”
However, when the Sunday Herald asked MacAskill about the government’s current approach, he said he believed it was “probably quite right”.
The former MSP, who stepped down in 2016, said: “I think they are probably wise to wait and see how technology is being developed, as the drugs being consumed are so varied.”
Stewart, the Labour MSP for Highland and Islands and a veteran road safety campaigner, described drug-driving as Scotland’s “hidden epidemic” and said it was time to introduce drug-driving limits.
He said he intended to seek a meeting with Justice Secretary Michael Matheson this week and would introduce a Members’ Bill for new legislation if the Scottish Government failed to act.
“It is imperative that the government must act now and introduce new laws to protect all road users and pedestrians – one death is one death too many,” he added. “The Scottish Government is frankly sitting on its hands on this.”
Douglas Ross, justice spokesman for the Conservatives, said: “The SNP have been completely behind the curve when it comes to tackling drug-driving.
“The changes in England and Wales have seen a significant rise in the number of people charged with drug-driving, yet we are still to see any steps taken to address this issue in Scotland.
“These drivers are not only putting their own safety at risk but those of others as well, and we need to see urgent action from the SNP now, not later. ”
LAST week, Sir Peter North – the author of the landmark review which led to the introduction of the new drug-driving laws in England and Wales – said there was no reason why Scotland should not implement similar measures. He pointed to about 8,000 arrests in the first year of the legislation in England and Wales as evidence of the scale of the problem.
Earlier this month the Sunday Herald revealed research showing the same number of drivers have died on Scotland’s roads after taking cannabis as those who died after drinking.
Road safety organisations such as Brake, IAM RoadSmart and Scotland’s Campaign Against Irresponsible Drivers (SCID) have all backed the Sunday Herald campaign for tougher measures against drug-drivers.
It is currently an offence to drive impaired by drugs, but police in Scotland have to rely on the “field impairment test” – a series of co-ordination tests such as walking in a straight line – to evaluate suspects, rather than drugalysers. Prosecutors also have to prove a person’s driving was “impaired” by drugs to secure a conviction.
A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “Scotland has longstanding legislation used by Police Scotland, prosecutors and our courts that makes it an offence to drive while being impaired due to drugs.
“We lowered the drink-driving limit in 2014 as evidence showed this could save lives and we will consider very carefully any evaluation of the evidence as to the impact of drug-driving limits introduced in England and Wales.”