Drug testing drivers on UK roads will soon become common place as the government prepares to provide the necessary guidance to police forces.
The Railway and Transport Safety Act 2003 provides the police with powers to use screening tests for drugs, and provides for a preliminary drug test to be given at the roadside, or at a police station.
Such a drug test is undertaken by obtaining a specimen of sweat or saliva which is subsequently analysed against Home Office approved cut-off levels.
If a driver is convicted of driving under the influence of drugs the offence carries a maximum fine of £5,000 and six months in jail.
In order to provide the police with the most effective equipment various trials and research has been undertaken.
The Druid Project spent a number of years evaluating existing technology to ascretain their true capabilities. They found that there was a wide variance in sensitivity levels of some of the drug testing devices. Their report makes interesting reading Druid final report.
Subsequently following years of research in trying to identify the most appropriate levels of drugs that should be detectable in the saliva of a driver before being considered ‘under the influence’ the Home Office as published a set of Type approval doc. Those guidelines essentially prescribe cut off levels for the most common drug groups including Cocaine, Cannabis, Opiates etc.
Many drug testing manufacturers cannot achieve these challenging levels and some of the UK’s leading drug testing companies have withdrawn from the process.
Drugalyser Meets the Challenge.
The haulage industry is particularly important in ensuring that all drivers meet the government driving standards. The Drugalyser ready for the road.
Hauliers preparing for change
MHS is launching a roadshow demonstrating the latest Drugalyser drug testing technology that meets government cut off levels.
For a free demo and policy review contact us now:
Appointment for free demo 01274 591792