Roadside drug testing starts today

Motorists in Edinburgh are facing the possibility of
roadside drug tests from today, 21 October, as Scotland gets tougher on drug
driving.  

A new law which introduces strict drug drive limits has come
into effect, with Police now able to carry out immediate tests using ‘mouth
swabs’ for any motorist they suspect of drug driving, or who have 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 combining them with alcohol multiplies
your risk of being involved in 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 Mark Patterson – Road Policing East Area
Commander, said: “From today police officers across the East of Scotland will
have additional powers which we will use to improve road safety for all road
users. The introduction of legislation enabling officers to use roadside
devices to quickly and accurately identify those driving under the influence of
illegal drugs is to be welcomed in removing impaired drivers from the roads.

“My officers will be utilising these new powers in all areas
across the East of Scotland from today in order to improve road safety and
reduce collisions and casualties on our roads.”

A drug drive conviction is both a criminal and driving
offence. Upon conviction drivers will receive a minimum 12-month driving ban;
3-11 penalty points on your licence; a criminal record; up to 6 months in
prison and/or a fine of up to a £5,000. 
Drug-driving can have devastating consequences, people can and have died
and lives can be ruined.

Drugs can stay in a user’s system for hours and even days
after consumption. Some heavy users will always have drugs in their system.

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf said: “Driving a
vehicle while under the influence of drugs is simply not acceptable. The
consequences of causing a collision while under the influence can be
devastating.

“I am grateful to Police Scotland, the Scottish Police
Authority, and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service for their hard
work to prepare for the new laws coming into force.

“Alongside our stringent drink driving limits, these new
curbs will ensure Scotland’s law enforcement agencies have the most robust
powers in the UK to tackle impaired and unsafe driving in order to keep people
safe.”