Cannabis drug drivers are being targeted by Irish police as they look to control the the rise in DUI arrests that has been seen in 2019.
Cannabis is the most commonly detected illegal drug detected by the Gardai. Their figures suggest a 15% rise in DUI arrests for alcohol or drugs in the first four months of 2019. 2,694 people were arrested in that period, compared to 2,343 a year previously, which is a 15% increase.
62 people have died on the roads in Ireland so far this year, compared to 58 in the same period in 2018.
The figures have been released by police as part of an awareness campaign ahead of the June Bank Holiday Weekend in Ireland.
Testing for Drug Driving
In Ireland, roadside drug tests became standard on 22nd October 2018. Irish police had been testing drivers for drugs since 1999 but the new laws meant that police could now test drivers at the scene for illegal drugs of abuse such as Cannabis, Cocaine, Opiates and Benzodiazepines.
Drivers are required to take an oral fluid drug test. These samples of saliva are then analysed using a device called the Dräger DrugTest 5000. Results, It only 1 minute to collect the amount of oral fluid needed for the test. Once the drug test cartridge is place into the machine, a confirmed positive or negative result will arrive within 8 minutes.
Similar devices were introduced in the UK when roadside drug testing was introduced in March 2015.
Saliva Drug Testing
Oral fluid drug testing, also known as saliva drug testing, is the preferred method of testing an individual to see if they are under the influence of drugs. Urine drug testing is used when a history of recent drug use needs to be seen. However urine drug tests are not as useful as saliva drug tests in determining if a person is under the influence of drugs at the time of testing.
Saliva Drug Testing Kits
3 in 1 Saliva Drug Test (Oral Fluid Testing Kits)
£6.99
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