Pubdate: Thu, 03 Jun 2004
Source: Belfast Telegraph (UK)
Copyright: 2004 Belfast Telegraph Newspapers Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/42
Author: Treacy Hogan

DRUGS AND DRIVING IN REPUBLIC

HUGE numbers of motorists in the Republic are driving under the
influence of drugs, an Irish government survey has revealed.

It found that seven out of 10 drivers (68%) tested by gardai had no
alcohol taken but were positive for one or more drugs.

And one quarter of all male drivers under 25 years of age tested
positive for drugs, particularly cannabis and cocaine.

But drivers are rarely prosecuted for drugs driving, despite the
official evidence gathered by the State's Medial Bureau of Road Safety.

A full-scale review of legislation is expected to allow prosecutions
to be routinely brought for drugs driving, similar to the drink
driving court system.

"Driving under the influence of an intoxicant is one of the major
factors contributing to road traffic crashes," revealed the bureau in
the first nationwide study commissioned by the Government.

There is now "a significant drugs driving problem in Ireland", it
concludes.

The extensive survey of 2,000 motorists - the biggest of its type in
Europe - stopped by gardai found cannabis was the most prevalent drug
used, found in six out of 10 drivers.

The typical drug drivers are young males driving in urban areas
smoking cannabis with little or no alcohol taken.

The findings will be linked to the growing number of unexplained fatal
crashes often involving young males in single vehicle accidents in the
early hours of weekends.

The report found:

Some 15.7% of all 2,000 drivers tested by gardai after being noticed
driving erratically had one or more drugs taken. Of the 2,000 drivers,
only 1,000 had taken any alcohol.

A total of 33% of drivers under the legal alcohol limit were drugs
positive.

A shocking 68% of the 1,000 drivers with no alcohol taken were
positive for drugs.

And of those in the under 25 age group some 25% were positive. Almost
20% of the 25-34 years olds also had drugs taken.

The research team was headed up by Professor Denis Cusack, the
bureau's chief medical officer, who described the findings as "stark".

Professor Cusack said there had also been a dramatic increase in
driving while under the influence of cocaine. 
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