Laurence Dollimore
SOME 25,000 drivers in Spain are to be tested for drugs and alcohol every day this week.
The checks are part of a campaign by the Direccion General de Trafico (DGT) which aims to raise awareness of drug-driving.
The traffic arm of the Guardia Civil have intensified controls, with stop checks already in place across the Costa del Sol including in Marbella, San Pedro, Estepona and La Linea.
Gregorio Serrano, director general of Traffic said: “The objective of the campaign is to make citizens aware that not only is alcohol driving dangerous, but also drug driving, which is often synonymous with death.
“Carrying out these preventive road checks, along with road education, is one of the most effective tools to discourage drivers from getting behind the wheel if they have consumed any psychoactive substance.”
The annual report by the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Science found that in 2015, 43.10% of drivers killed in accidents tested positive for alcohol, drugs and/or psychoactive substances.
Those who test positive for alcohol or drugs will face a €1,000 fine,
Anyone found driving with drugs in their system could face three to six months in jail.
The campaign will run until December 18.
Wonder why “drugs” carries a greater penalty than the drug alcohol? Which “drugs” anyway? Painkillers containing opium derivatives – codeine morphine? Doctor-prescribed tranquillisers, sedatives and other mood alterers? Sleeping pills taken the night before and still in the system?
Cannabis, either from passive consumption or consumed as long ago as up to three months?
Own up, this is simply a money-grubber for an Xmas bonus. Otherwise it would be an on-going operation.
Driving in Asturias is much less dangerous than a few years ago even though the stops are time consuming and irritating. The problem which remains, however, is the calibration of Guardia Civil breath-a-lizers, and the brusque, rude attitude of some of the moto officers. Since I do not drive even if I have only a glass of wine, except for the lost time, the program does not really bother me.
I have had a couple of workers on our architectural project who are greatly bothered by the marijuana testing. But all in all, drug free driving is likely better.