Highland motorists face roadside drugs test as new laws are introduced
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A DRUG driving crackdown has been launched to coincide with strict new laws – and motorists in Ross and Cromarty are facing the possibility of roadside tests.
A new law, which introduces strict drug-drive limits, came into effect this week, with police now able to carry out immediate tests using “mouth swabs” on any motorist they suspect of drug-driving, or who has been involved in a collision or stopped for a traffic offence.
If the test is positive, drivers will be arrested.
People are up to three times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a road crash when driving after taking cannabis, rising to 10 times for cocaine. Combining drugs or mixing them with alcohol multiplies the risk of a crash.
The new law means it is now easier to hold drug-drivers to account as there is no requirement to prove that someone was driving in an impaired manner. There is a zero-tolerance approach to the eight drugs most associated with illegal use, including cannabis, heroin and cocaine. Drugs associated with medical use have limits based on impairment and road safety.
Chief Inspector Simon Bradshaw, Area Commander Road Policing North, said: “Officers across the north and north-east of Scotland work tirelessly on a daily basis to make our roads safer and I very much welcome the new legislation which provides additional new powers to detect drug-drivers through the use of roadside screening devices.
“This will have a positive impact on our ability to stop this type of illegal driving behaviour and improve road safety across all our communities.”
Upon conviction, drivers can receive a driving ban, penalty points on their licence, up to six months in prison and/or a fine.
