Written Answers. - Drugs and Driving.
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:
31
Mr. Broughan
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
the number of blood samples taken from suspected drunk drivers that showed traces of banned drugs; the steps he is taking to protect road users from drivers who may be under the influence of drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29432/00]
Pat Carey
Ceist:
266
Mr. P. Carey
asked the
Minister for the Environment and Local Government
if his attention has been drawn to research evidence that cannabis in its own right makes a small contribution to motor vehicle accidents and that it may have a major public health significance for road safety in exacerbating the adverse effects of alcohol on the performance of those drivers who combine alcohol and cannabis; if he has any plans to revise the road safety legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[29291/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 266 together.
The Government Strategy on Road Safety 1998-2002 recognises that the influence of drugs on driving behaviour is an issue of increasing concern. Identification of the presence of drugs is however more complex than for alcohol. A number of research programmes are being carried out internationally in this area and the strategy commits the Government to monitoring and assessing these developments.
In order to advance research in relation to drugs and driving in Ireland, my Department has pledged additional funding, of which some £100,000 has so far been allocated, to the Medical Bureau of Road Safety to carry out a two year programme of drug analysis of blood and urine specimens.
The preliminary findings of this programme were made available earlier this year by the MBRS. These findings are based on blood and urine samples submitted to the MBRS between 1 July and 31 December 1999 which proved to be under the legal limit for alcohol. Within this sub-set of blood and urine samples, further MBRS analysis screened some 37% as being positive for drugs, the most common being cannabis.
These early findings underline the Government's view expressed in the road safety strategy that drugs and driving is an issue of growing concern. While it is too early to draw definitive conclusions, the research programme when completed will, along with other international analysis and research in this area, inform the need for possible changes in testing methods for the presence of drugs, changes in enforcement practice and procedures and possibly changes to existing legislation.
I must stress that under existing legislation it is already illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs to such an extent as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.
Question No. 32 taken with Question No. 24.
