In future the police will carry out more tests on motorists to find out if they are driving under the influence of drugs. The checklist of symptoms used by the police to decide whether a motorist should be drug tested is being extended.
Police officers use the checklist to decide whether they should take a saliva sample to check whether a motorist has been taking drugs. The checklist includes a number of telltale signs that point to someone having taken drugs. The Federal Police spokeswoman An Berger told journalists that “These include, for example, being in a confused state, having dilated pupils or having a dry mouth. If a person displays one of these three symptoms, we can initiate a saliva test”.
Now at the behest of the outgoing Federal Transport Minister Georges Gilkinet (Francophone green), a team of experts has extended the list of symptoms. An Berger told VRT News that in future if drugs are found inside a vehicle the police will be able to drug test the driver forthwith.
Motorists that are caught driving under the influence of drugs risk fines of up to 1,600 euro. They also risk an immediate driving ban and being made to answer for their misdemeanor before the Police Court.
Synthetic drugs and laughing gas
In addition to more drug test, there will be a new procedure to check whether a driver is under the influence of synthetic drugs or laughing gas. Synthetic drugs and laughing gas cannot be detected through a saliva test.
When an officer suspects that a driver has taken drugs that cannot be detected by a normal drug test, they can make a report concerning the driver's appearance and behaviour. They can, for example, can test whether a driver can walk in a straight a white line. The report can later be used in evidence in court even if a saliva test was unable to prove drug use.
The new rules also close a loophole that ensured that foreign drivers caught using drugs went unpunished. Many foreign drivers did not pay their fines after being caught under the influence of drugs while driving in Belgium. In future foreign motorists caught when they are caught using drugs will have to to pay a deposit of 1,260 euro on the spot. Those that refuse or are unable to pay the deposit will have their vehicles confiscated.