Belgium starts drug testing of drivers

Belgian authorities are planning to tackle the growing problem of drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of drugs. Testing of a new system that uses saliva to establish whether drivers have drugs present in their system is now starting. Previous methods of testing for drugs using blood tests or psycho-motor skills will be replaced, should the tests on the new system prove successful.
May 15, 2012 Read time: 1 min
Belgian authorities are planning to tackle the growing problem of drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of drugs.

Testing of a new system that uses saliva to establish whether drivers have drugs present in their system is now starting.

Previous methods of testing for drugs using blood tests or psycho-motor skills will be replaced, should the tests on the new system prove successful.

The new system is said to be quicker and more accurate than the previous methods and can detect a range of illegal drugs as well as prescribed medication, the use of which should disallow drivers from getting behind the wheel.

Drivers caught operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs will be fined and have their licences suspended.

Related Content

  • New Zealand’s DUI road risk is changing
    June 22, 2018
    A serious problem with driving under the influence is now being seen in New Zealand. For the first time ever, drivers under the influence of drugs have been involved in a greater number of serious crashes than those under the influence of alcohol. As a result, more people were killed as a result of drug use than alcohol use in road crashes in New Zealand during 2017. This worrying fact highlights the problem with illicit drug use in New Zealand. The result of the research into road deaths has been revealed
    Read More
  • UK police to start using drug testing kits on drivers
    January 8, 2013
    In the UK police are finally to be issued with a new drug testing kit. This development follows trials of testing technology able to detect the presence of illegal drugs using samples from drivers. The kit that has been approved by the UK authorities can analyse a mouth swab for traces of cannabis. Systems capable of determining the presence of other drugs are in development at present. This new kit for checking on the presence of cannabis will be used at police stations, and does away with the need to have
    Read More
  • Ford develops drug driving simulator
    November 20, 2015
    Ford has developed a special suit that simulates the effects of being under the influence of drugs for a driver. The novel Drug Driving Suit is intended to show drivers the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, cocaine and heroin Research shows that drivers are up to 30 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash after taking illegal drugs; the suit simulates effects that can include slowed reaction, distorted vision, and hand tremors.
    Read More
  • Drugged driver risks in the UK
    April 13, 2023
    Drugged drivers pose risks to others in the UK
    Read More

Highlighted Content