From now on anyone causing a road traffic accident will have to undergo a drug test mobility minister Georges Gilkinet (Francophone green/Ecolo) and Justice minister Paul Van Tigchelt (Flemish liberal/Open VLD) have announced. Until now, only the alcohol test was compulsory. A drug test was only carried out if there were injuries.
Drivers will be subjected to a checklist. The police will check a number of elements that may indicate drug use: dilated pupils, agitated behaviour, a strange smell coming from the car. If those indications are present, a saliva test with a mouth swab will follow. If it is positive, the police can immediately impose a driving ban. A more extensive saliva sample is then also taken for a thorough laboratory test. This is necessary to impose any penalty. In exceptional cases, the police may summon a doctor to take a blood sample.
So far drug tests have only been mandatory in the event of accidents involving injured people. "But now they will also be carried out in the event of traffic accidents with only material damage. We have purchased extra saliva tests so that we can check for drug use in traffic more broadly," explains Minister Van Tigchelt.
"Drunk driving is one of the top three causes of fatal accidents, alongside distracted driving and speeding," says minister Gilkinet. "We must do all we can to bring down the number of road casualties, and more drug checks on drivers will contribute to this."
Surveys show that 5 per cent of drivers admit to having driven under the influence of drugs. Among young drivers, this is estimated to be as high as 1 in 7. This can increase the risk of an accident by 30 per cent.
"We are stepping up the fight against drugs at all levels, including in traffic," Minister Van Tigchelt concludes.