A drug testing system used on Australian motorists should be introduced in Ireland to monitor those driving under the influence of legal and illegal drugs, Fine Gael said today.
Fine Gael senator Fergal Browne called on Minister for Transport Martin Cullen to introduce roadside drug testing technology that uses simple swabs to test for the presence of cannabis or amphetamines.
He said studies here showed showing that drug driving is "widespread and likely to be a factor in many accidents".
Reports by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety, which analyses blood and urine samples taken after gardaí stop motorists for suspected drink-driving offences, suggest nearly seven out of 10 drivers have at least one legal or illegal drug in their system.
"That is why this issue needs to be highlighted, as many users of legal prescription drugs will not be aware of the dangers. I therefore welcome proposals by the Road Safety Authority to launch a new strategy to deal with this problem," Mr Browne said.
Australia recently began using new saliva-swab technology to test for cannabis and amphetamines.
"Given that cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs, I would urge the Irish Government to immediately consider importing this technology to Ireland. It should also liaise with the UK authorities which are conducting a pilot test on a broad-ranging drug test for drivers," Mr Browne added.
Recent changes to the law mean gardaí may now breathalyse motorists at random to assess whether they have consumed alcohol.
A spokesman for the Road Safety Authority confirmed that the body plans a campaign on drug use by motorists, but said it would probably not begin until early next year.
He said the authority also needed to focus on the medical profession to encourage doctors to warn people about the potential effects of drugs on their driving. People should also read leaflets supplied with medication carefully, the spokesman added.
The Road Safety Authority does not formally come into existence until September 1st.