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29/07/2009
UK motorists involved in road incidents, or who are caught speeding or not wearing a seatbelt on French roads, could be subject to drug tests.
The warning, from motoring organization the AA, comes in response to an "aggressive" campaign by French authorities to reduce the number of road incidents within the country by exercising a zero-tolerance policy towards narcotic use.
The French police saliva test checks for the presence of narcotics, and works faster than traditional urine or blood tests.
A positive result could lead to fines of up to £3,893 and even prison sentences for offenders.
In the UK, the policy is less strict and police are unable to prosecute for drug-driving unless a motorist is impaired.
At present, this is established via a field impairment test, known as a "Fit", but the British government has expressed its intention to introduce "drugalysers" and prosecute UK motorists with any trace of narcotics in their bloodstream.
Home Office statistics show that 4.6% of British 16-59-year-olds have smoked marijuana in the last month, with over 800,000 UK motorists thought to be driving under the influence every year.
Andrew Howard, the AA's head of road safety said, "UK drivers who take drugs days or even weeks before driving though France and other parts of Europe are taking a high-stakes gamble.
"A driver could be tested at the discretion of a gendarme anytime after a road safety offence."
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