Drug driving has overtaken alcohol as the biggest threat to safety on Scotland’s roads, according to figures. Around 3500 drink and drug driving tests were carried out by Police Scotland in their annual festive crackdown, says the Daily Record.
Data shows more motorists were caught drug driving – despite police carrying out five times as many breathalyser tests as drug tests. Officers carried out 626 roadside drug tests, catching 398 drivers – 79 more than the 319 caught over the alcohol limit from more than 3000 breath tests.
Experts warn however that thousands more drug drivers are slipping through the net. Critics have called on the Scottish Government to ensure the fight against the menace is properly funded.
Scottish Conservatives justice spokesperson Liam Kerr MSP said drug driving was “spiralling” on the SNP’s watch “while forensic testing capacity is overstretched, and police cuts mean there is a lack of specialised road traffic officers available to tackle this issue”.
Scots Labour justice spokesperson Pauline McNeill said:
“The Scottish Government must ensure that police officers working across Scotland’s roads have the resources they need to ensure that people remain safe and lives are not needlessly lost.”
Police Scotland is keen to ramp up testing but “ration” drug swabs sent for analysis so labs aren’t overwhelmed. According to an Forensic Services report, drug testing has been running 23 per cent above the 270-case maximum for the last six months.
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