Question reference: S1W-02431
- Asked by: Kenneth Gibson, MSP for Glasgow, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 9 November 1999
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Current status: Answered by Sarah Boyack on 10 December 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what plans it has to introduce drug testing for drivers who are tested for alcohol.
Answer
Legislation on drugs and driving is a reserved matter under the Scotland Act. Driving a motor vehicle while unfit through drugs is an offence. The police may take a person whose driving appears to be impaired to a police station for examination by a police surgeon.
The police however have no powers to test drivers for drugs at the roadside comparable to their powers to test for alcohol. Primary legislation would be required to introduce such a power and it would be for the Westminster Parliament to introduce such legislation. The Scottish Executive has recently commissioned research to investigate the prevalence of recreational drug use and driving in Scotland.