The controversial drug reform became law this month. This has not made smoking a joint legal. It is the penalties for the offence that have been eased and not the drug’s legal status. However, the introduction of this law got me somewhat thinking, as painful as that may be.
We all know of the dangers of drink driving. Alcohol in itself is a depressant drug, as is marijuana, and slows down the activity of the central nervous system and the brain. We accept as a fact that alcohol affects vision, reaction times, concentration and causes drowsiness. We are heavily legislated against drink driving.
Whether this is adequately enforced in Malta or not is another matter. However, Chapter 65 in the Laws of Malta, deals extensively with the issue. The law empowers the police to take breathalyser tests aimed at curbing alcohol-related traffic accidents.
In fact, those exceeding 35 microgrammes in the first test will have to take a second test at the police headquarters in Floriana or Victoria.
A sample of breath would be requested again and alcohol readings printed and signed. The print-out can be presented in court as evidence.
In serious cases (what constitutes a serious case?), a blood or urine sample can be requested and taken under medical supervision.
It is worth mentioning that the legal limit is 35 microgrammes per 100 millilitres of breath, or 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood, or 107 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of urine.
The perils of drink driving are taken so seriously by the courts that it is actually regarded as a crime not a contravention.
Which brings me to the point I want to make. What about drug driving? And by drug I mean prescription and/or illegal one, like marijuana.
The truth is that, to my knowledge, no magic breathalyser for drugs has been invented yet, so how can the police handle drivers who look intoxicated but who pass their alcohol breathalyser test? Do they use the field impairment test? That’s the one where you have to stand on one leg, touch your nose, count to 30 and other assorted party tricks. Can they ask for a blood test?
Evidently and obviously, drink driving is a bigger problem mainly due to the fact that more people drink than take drugs. I cannot ever imagine it to be normal to pop out of the office during your lunch break for a quick smoke rather than a beer with your colleagues, then driving home after work and settling down to dinner for a couple more. However, the dangers of drug driving, like drink driving, need to be addressed too, especially in a more liberal and lax society.
motoring@timesofmalta.com