DRUG TAKERS USED IN DRIVING TESTS

REGULAR cannabis users are taking part in tests to investigate the effects of drugs on driving, the Government admitted yesterday.

Pure quantities of the drug imported from America will be given to 16 users at the Transport Research Laboratory ( TRL ) in Crowthorne, Berks, where they will be asked to perform a series of tasks on a computerised driving simulator.  The project leader, Dr Rob Tunbridge, said: "We are using regular drug users because previous tests in the US have shown that first-time users tend to fall over and feel ill."

The results are expected to be published in April and a follow-up series of tests involving cannabis and alcohol will take place later this year.  Dr Tunbridge said: "Logically, the effects of amphetamines and particularly ecstasy are the next basis for research.  But those drugs are not turning up in research into road accidents and a long-term policy on roadside drug screening is a far more important priority."

Trials of roadside screening devices and drug impairment tests were carried out by six police forces last year.  Although the results of the screening devices - sweat and saliva testing - were inconclusive, the impairment tests had a positive rate, after blood sample analysis, of 20 per cent.  Roadside breath alcohol tests generally produce a 12 per cent positive rate.

The admission follows the publication of the RAC Report on Motoring, which suggested that driving under the influence of drugs was as big a problem as drink driving among young people.