TRAFFIC cops have been given new powers to test drivers that they suspect of being under the influence of drugs.

Legislation is now in place which allows officers to conduct a field impairment test (FIT), which puts drivers they believe have been taking drugs under the spotlight.

The move comes as part of a force-wide crackdown on drinking and drug driving, which is expected to escalate throughout the summer.

Officers from Thames Valley Police will now be carrying out the FIT test on any motorist who is driving in a suspicious way.

Previously officers would have to take a suspect to be examined by a doctor in order to establish drug use.

Road policing Inspector, Colin Clark said: "We are determined to crackdown on people who drive while impaired and to prevent tragedies before they happen.

"Driving while under the influence of drugs can seriously impair a driver's ability and is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol and we need to make sure drivers are aware."

The test consists of an eye examination, and four psychophysical tests which examine balance and coordination. The FIT test is conducted at the roadside and the punishment for a person caught driving under the influence of drugs is identical to drinking and driving and will result in a ban.

Inspector Clark told Midweek that young people are the main offenders.

He said: "We have done this because there has been an increase in people aged between 16 and 29 who are driving with drugs in their system."

Nigel Welham, who is responsible for training officers to carry out the test, believes the training is among the strictest around.

He said: "People who are properly trained in this have around a 90 per cent success rate in the ability to identify someone who is driving while on drugs."

Gillian Stimpson, community safety manager for Wycombe District Council, supports the new crackdown and believes this is a good opportunity to help get their message across.

She said: "We fully support this. It's a major tool in their tool box."

Research into road collisions nationally show a six-fold increase over a ten year period from three per cent to 18 per cent of drivers having illicit drugs in their bodies.

FACT FILE

18 per cent of drivers involved in road deaths have illegal drugs in their bodies

22 per cent of passengers involved in road deaths have illegal drugs in their bodies

89 per cent of samples sent in for drug tests were positive

The highest level of abuse exists among young people aged between 16 and 29

45 per cent of those interviewed by the British Drug Campaign Survey admitted taking an illegal substance at some time

24 per cent of respondents in a drug driving survey conducted by Mixmag magazine revealed that they drove every week while under the influence of drugs

Records in the USA show a 98.7 per cent accuracy in officers correctly identifying a subject using impairment tests