DOCTORS’ leaders have urged the introduction of new legislation to tackle drug-driving in Scotland and prevent lives being put at risk.
The British Medical Association (BMA) Scotland said it believed 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 drug-driving limits and the 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 drug drive 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 that time – four years ago – the Scottish Government stated the intention was to look at bringing forward regulations to set drug-driving limits here.
Announcing on 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 about the government's current approach to the issue MacAskill, who stepped down as an MSP in 2016, said he believed it was “probably quite right”.
He 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 the issue 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 Member’s 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 around 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) also want to see Scotland introduce 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 coordination 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 spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “Scotland has long-standing 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.”
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel