At last, SNP to introduce drug driving limits on Scots roads

... two years after English legislation

DRUG-DRIVING limits and roadside testing are to be introduced in Scotland – two years after a similar crackdown was launched south of the Border.

Justice Secretary Michael Matheson had pledged tough curbs on motorists who get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs.

Under the proposed measures, there will be no police requirement to prove someone was driving in an ‘impaired’ manner – only that they have a higher than permitted level of a prohibited drug in their system.

Ministers had been criticised for the delay in bringing in the new laws.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Douglas Ross said: ‘Under the SNP, Scotland was lagging behind other parts of the UK and the menace of drugdriving was going unpunished.

‘We will keep the pressure on the SNP to ensure these reforms are introduced speedily so everyone on our roads is safer.’

Ministers will seek approval from the parliament later this year before the law is introduced in 2019.

Under current laws, it is an offence to be in charge of a vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs, with a minimum 12month ban, up to six months in prison and a fine of up to £5,000.

The new offence of driving above specified drug limits will operate alongside drink-driving laws and carry the same penalties.

Officers currently have to rely on roadside tests, such as for coordination and balance, or physical cues including pupil dilation, followed by a urine test at a police station, to gauge a driver’s possible drug consumption.

So-called ‘drugalyser’ kits cost £18 compared with only a few pence for a breathalyser.

Drug-driving legislation was introduced in England and Wales in March 2015.

Experts say drivers impaired by

‘We will keep the pressure on’

drugs are responsible for up to 200 deaths a year in the UK.

Drug-driving was a possible factor in 55 crashes north of the Border in 2015, according to Scottish Government figures.

Chief Superintendent Andy Edmonston, head of road policing for Police Scotland, said: ‘I welcome this proposed legislation, as anything designed to make our roads safer can only be to the public good.’

But Calum Steele, general secretary of the Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, said it was likely the range of drugs being tested would be ‘relatively narrow, whereas those that can impair are ever-changing and vast in number’.

Responding to his concern, a Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘We will consider carefully what drugs should be covered, so as to ensure the most common drug types such as cocaine and cannabis are covered.’

Mr Matheson said: ‘By introducing drug-driving limits and roadside testing for the presence of drugs, we will strengthen the ability of our police and prosecutors to tackle the minority of drivers who recklessly put other road users and themselves at risk.

‘Under the new offence, evidence of impaired driving will not be required, with law enforcement agencies able to investigate and prosecute on the basis of a driver being above the specified limit.

‘Scotland will be at the forefront of efforts across the UK to tackle drivers who drink or take drugs.’