Growing numbers of motorists are driving under the influence of cannabis and other illegal drugs, a new report will reveal today.
And authorities are planning to roll out a medical device similar to breathalysers to test drivers for drug use but not until next year at the earliest.
Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and Professor Denis Cusack of the Medical Bureau of Road Safety will jointly publish the report into the incidence of drug driving and the use of devices to check for drugs this afternoon.
It is expected to give the green light for the eventual use of a drug detection device to check for a variety of drugs, in the medium term, after further studies on the best device available on the market.
It is also expected to indicate an increase in the incidence of drugs driving.
In the meantime, gardai will have to wait until next year before they can start the alternative US-style roadside impairment tests for drugs.
These roadside tests were due to be in place earlier this year, and thousands of gardai were trained how to operate them.
However, the Government discovered that the legislation to introduce the tests was not strong enough to withstand a legal challenge.
New legislation is currently being drawn up before they can be rolled out, probably sometime next year.
The five key tests that will be performed on suspect drugs drivers are:
- Gardai examining the driver's eyes, especially the size of the pupil.
- The driver being asked to stand with eyes closed to see if they start swaying.
- The driver attempting to walk a straight line without stumbling.
- The driver standing on one leg, then turning around.
- The driver touching their nose with a finger, with eyes open and then eyes closed.
Source: Irish Independent, 17/10/12
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