Gov't getting tougher on drug use in traffic

Ministers Ivo Opstelten (Safety and Justice) and Melanie Schultz van Haegen (Infrastructure and Environment) are cranking up the methods to detect motorists who take part in traffic while under the influence of drugs.

A draft amendment to the laws on traffic they sent to the Second Chamber today suggests the introduction of a zero-limit for the use of drugs and alcohol. A press release the ministers issued explained that a zero limit is the lowest measurable amount of a substance that can be traced in a person’s blood. The Institute for Scientific Research Traffic Security Safety SWOV in July 2013 published an excerpt of the results from the European DRUID (Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, alcohol and medicines) research, to show that the risks of serious injuries increases when people use different types of drugs together or combine drugs and alcohol. Ministers Opstelten and Schultz van Haegen adopted the SWOV recommendations. Anyone caught either using one type of drug or multiple types may look forward to stiff punishment. Police no longer have to prove “driving under the influence’; bloodtests that show the presence of above-limit drugs levels are sufficient. Punishment can vary from a fine to a driving ban. The release says that the amendment of the legislation should also enable faster detecting of drug abuse in traffic. Police officers will be able to force motorists and motor bikers to have their saliva tapped and tested.