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From 'i' on saturday
Devices to test if drivers have taken illegal drugs before getting behind the wheel coiuld be approved for use in police stations by the end of the year.
The Govt said yesterday that manufacturers have been invited to submit thier machines for lab testing
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I do not condone anyone riding,driving or engaging with traffic if they are off thier nut,not clever at all
If I felt inclined to smoke just one spliff the evidence of that spliff would be in my system for three weeks or more
One spliff would not keep me stoned for three weeks ore more.
This is an 'invisible line' scenario
( pun intended )

ooohhhh dont get me started.lol

(this is just my opinion)out comes the soap box

Drugs turn most people into scum as far as im concerned,and if you take drugs then you deserve what you get...........

Rant over.soap box away

Personally I dont give a toss as I dont smoke, snort or inject illegal drugs, but I can see how others would be stiffed by it and do sympathise a bit as it wouldnt seemingly be fair.

fatboy wrote:From 'i' on saturday
Devices to test if drivers have taken illegal drugs before getting behind the wheel could be approved for use in police stations by the end of the year.

Good i really don't like the thought of meeting anyone under the influence of drugs coming the other way whilst on the bike.
Plus i have a family and my wife drives obviously with the kids in the car.
I think i will leave it at that

Slickliner6, you missed the point.
That point being if its in your system it does not mean you are under the influence.
A good mate at work is narcoleptic so takes prescribed amphetamine for his condition,that does not make him scum
A good mate outside of work takes prescibed morphine for hydrokefalis ( fluid on the brain,horrific bike smash 20 yrs ago),he is not scum.
Both take strong legal drugs daily, both are on the National User Register, both ride and drive safely,legally but with strong legal drugs in thier system
Whats more evil, speed, opiates, red bull, dehydration, fatigue?????

Currently with drink driving they test for the presence of one drug. I wonder whether they will need individual machines for each drug for which they test or will have a "super machine" for all (or many) illegal drugs?
If so, I hope they can discriminate accurately between illegal drugs, prescription drugs and any other naturally occurring things our bodies may produce.

I'm happy that they tackle the drugs problem but I wonder whether the technology can reliably do what they want it to do.

I also wonder how much effect this will really have as lack of enforcement seems to be one of the biggest issues ... the number of drivers you see on their hand-held mobiles that are clearly not concentrating on driving - but although it's illegal, F-all ever seems to be done about it.

I don't advocate the use of anything that may hamper a drivers ability, but the authorities are going about it in the wrong way. Let's say (just for the hell of it) they get from behind their cameras and machines to do some real police work to catch idiots behind the wheel. I wonder how much more effective and cheaper that would be.

As Andy pointed out, they can barely tackle the problems that are glaringly obvious, so unless they start pulling over random drivers (like a road block) they're going to find it very difficult to catch um.

To me, it sounds like another dreamt up idealism by some civil servant trying to keep his job. Pricks.

.... and if it comes to random testing, I'm out!

As with the way drink driving is supposed to be policed, there is supposed to be a specific reason for suspecting the person tested is under the affluence of inkerhol.
Unfortunately they abuse that.

Random testing opens up to much potential for abuse of the system and harassment of individuals going about their legitimate business.

About bloody time.

I've just been a passenger in a non serious car shunt that was caused by the other driver being a complete fuckwit. They need to look at some anti fuckwit legislation.

More people - not just younger people - take recreational drugs these days - and the effects can be catastrophic

Many people take PRESCRIBED drugs that would make the rest of us ill or stoned - especially the opioids

I do not agree with random stopping etc, but I think we do need legislation and action

Oh - its one super duper machine for the tests - it works off sweat

This can make life very difficult for those who take prescribed drugs. I knew someone who was diabetic, it was back when the NHS decided that natural insulin was better than artificial insulin (or something like that) and it messed up a lot of peoples' insulin levels and made it difficult to control.

During this time a friend had a slight accident in her car and was horrified to find that the police accident report said she was 'driving under the influence of drugs'. She did think of suggesting they should see what her driving was like when had NOT taken her drugs!

slickliner6 wrote:ooohhhh dont get me started.lol

(this is just my opinion)out comes the soap box

Drugs turn most people into scum as far as im concerned,and if you take drugs then you deserve what you get...........

Rant over.soap box away

Bet you like a pint though? Does the drug alcohol turn you into scum as well?

sorry did i miss something here.
Prescribed drugs..... I would think that the police are not after these people.
I would have thought it would be the none prescribed substances that would be the issue.
On another note prescribed drugs come with a warning on the packaging, side effects etc. Ie drowsiness and will advise that driving should not be done.
Driving a crane at work etc.
Also the doctors will ask questions about your job before prescribing drugs and will tell you of the side effects.
People have to be responsible and if they don't feel right when driving they should be sensible.
Now people who take none prescribed drugs i have no sympathy.
I would hate for anyone to come on here and say that one of our members or their friends and family have died out on the road because of this very issue.

I've no more sympathy for those that drive under the influence of prescription drugs than those who drive without their prescription spectacles.