We use a 1.4 litre Toyota Yaris. Driving under the influence of Drugs
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) is currently running a new public service anti-drug driving advertisement which includes a 60 second piece called ‘Cell’ that was acquired from Victoria, Australia and adapted to our scene. It depicts the tragic consequences of a drivers decision to take drugs and drive, after leaving a nightclub. A second ad. titled ‘Dead girl talking’ has been adapted from the U.K. and is due for airing anytime now. It shows a young woman describe how she and her friends were involved in a crash after taking drugs, with fatal consequences.
Those advertisements by the RSA endeavour to bring it home to the public that consuming drugs can be lethal and, while the emphasis has generally been on drink driving, it serves to remind us that drugs can be equally devastating.
It is against the law to drive while under the influence of drugs, whether they be prescribed or illegal substances and it can be as dangerous as driving with too much alcohol. Alcohol will normally clear the human system within 12 to 20 hours, whereas the effect of drugs may last for days and traces of cannabis can be found in the urine up to 30 days after smoking a single ‘reefer.’ Reaction to drug consumption may take many forms, like poor concentration, confusion, overconfidence, erratic behaviour, hallucinations, aggression or dizziness.
Who’s consuming those drugs, one might ask? You’d be amazed! It may be members of your own family or unsuspecting friends. The RSA commissioned research among 17 to 34 year olds on the use of such drugs by drivers. It revealed that 22% admitted to being a passenger in a car driven by someone under the influence of a drug. They also believed that being under the influence of a drug was not as serious as being under the influence of alcohol. The survey was conducted on 1,000 people into the use of recreational drugs while driving and 1 in 20 admitted having driven while under the influence. What are these ‘ recreational’ drugs? Their consumption may be described as the use of a psychoactive or mindaltering substance with the intention of creating or enhancing recreational experiences. The use may be for medicinal purposes, performance enhancement or spiritual. Drugs not normally considered in this vein are tobacco and caffeine. This desire for ‘intoxication’ has been compared to the human desire to satisfy hunger, thirst or the need for shelter.
Illegal substances that are commonly consumed include Cannabis, Heroin, Cocaine and Ecstacy. The effects of Cannabis consumption is immediate, peaking after about 15 minutes. U.S. surveys show that a driver is three times more likely to have a crash following such consumption. Heroin gives a euphoric feeling and relief of pain, depressing reflexes resulting in poor coordination. Driving is seriously impaired. Cocaine exudes confidence, strength and intelligence – temporarily, of course. Judgement is impaired and the user becomes hyperactive. Ecstacy combines a hallucinogen with a stimulant, exaggerating all emotions. Balance and judgement of time and distance is affected. The pupils appear dilated.
The Gardai have power to arrest a driver under the influence of an intoxicant which includes alcohol and drugs or a combination of both. There are few arrests for drug-related driving: perhaps a reason may be that it is difficult to detect or assess. Unlike alcohol, there is no resultant smell of a users breath, there’s no roadside test to show a presence of a drug in the system so it’s down to clinical assessment at the initial stage. With 1 in 20 admitting to having driven while under the influence of drugs, maybe the Traffic Corps section will take a closer look at those ‘silent’ consumers and ask what they contribute to crash statistics. With mandatory alcohol breath testing after a crash, it’s fitting to have a similar power applied for drugtaking.