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Dept for Transport

Answer

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the powers under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 to carry out roadside drug tests will be utilised; and if he will make a statement. [203990] Mr. Jamieson: [holding answer 13 December 2004]: Section 6B(2) of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as amended by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003) requires the Secretary of State to issue a Code of Practice that trained police officers must use when administering roadside preliminary impairment testing, such as the `walk and turn test'. This will be issued shortly to all police forces in Great Britain and will enable them to require drivers to take part in such testing, which is designed to help officers reach a judgment whether a driver may be impaired. The police will be further assisted in dealing with suspect drivers when they are able to undertake preliminary testing at the roadside for the presence of drugs under section 6C of the Act. That requires equipment that must be type approved. The specification for type approval is in preparation by the Home Office who hope that it will be finalised in the first half of next year. Once devices are type approved, the police will be able to use them.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

203990; 428 c1016W;428 c1016-8W

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Codes of practice Driving Drugs Driving under influence Police Powers Testing

Legislation

Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk