New College Lanarkshire students were given a valuable insight into new drug-drive rules.
North Lanarkshire Council’s safe and sustainable travel team held a series of information sessions focusing on the regulations.
Since October last year, Police Scotland has powers to carry out immediate roadside testing for any driver they suspect of drug-driving.
Officers use drugalyser mouth swabs to test for a range of illegal drugs, such as cannabis, cocaine, benzoylexgonine, heroin/diamorphine, ketamine, LSD, MDMA/ecstasy and methylamphetamine.
Members of the council team held three information sessions for college students, outlining the police powers as well as the impact of drugs on people’s ability to drive.
Azhar Ali, senior officer of roads strategy and safety, said: “The students were very receptive to the information about the law relating to drug and drink-driving and using beer goggles, they were shocked at the impact of even small quantities of drugs or alcohol on their bodies.
“Most drugs stay in the body longer than alcohol, up to four or five days, and it is a criminal offence to drive with controlled drugs above a specific level in your blood, even if they have been prescribed.
“The best approach is drive smart – never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.”
Drug-driving is a criminal offence which can lead to severe penalties including a minimum 12 month driving ban, three to 11 points on your driving licence, an unlimited fine or up to six months in prison.
