Halfof drivers believe that drug driving is a more common and serious problem thandrink driving, according to a poll of 17,500 AA Populus panel members.

Over50,000drivers a year would fail roadside 'drugalyzer' tests if such devices werebeing used by UK police forces, according to a British company that has-beenconducting trials around the world.

Researchfrom London-based Trimega Laboratories shows the device detects drug impairmentin roughly half the number of drivers who fail breathalyzers ? which the HomeOffice puts at just over 100,000 annually for England and Wales.

AAcomment

EdmundKing, president at  experts TheAA said: "We must question whether the true extent of drug-driving iscurrently being picked up. In the recent road safety compliance consultation,the Department for Transport accepts that drug-driving has increasedsubstantially but that official figures on motoring convictions and deathscaused by drug-drivers are not reliable indicators. We believe that thisproblem needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency with the best technologythat is available."

Drugalyzershave yet to be type-approved in the UK but they are already being used bycustoms and police forces across Europe, in Australia, South Africa and the USA.

Experiencein South Africa

The'1,400device can detect cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and cannabis from a singlesaliva swab in around three minutes. Trimega has found, in its roadblocks inSouth Africa for example, that not only were a fifth (19%) of motorists whotested positive for alcohol also drug-driving, but one in eight(12%) driverswho passed the breathalyzer then failed the drugalyzer. Under normal lawenforcement procedures these motorists would have likely been allowed tocontinue driving.

FieldImpairment Test

Inthe UK, the penalties for drug-driving are the same as drink-diving - i.e. upto ?5,000 fine, ban and possible 12 month custodial sentence. However, policeat present have to rely on the 'FIT' ? or Field Impairment Test ? todetainthose they suspect to be unfit to drive through drugs, either illegalorprescription. This involves:

?            Observing any pupil dilation

?            Counting out 30 seconds

?            Walking nine paces and back

?            Balancing on one leg

?           Touching nose with eyes closed

Aswiththe breathalyzer 40 years ago, the AA predicts that theintroduction ofdrugalyzers would - along with a wide reaching awareness campaign - result in asharp drop in drug-driving offences.

AviLasarow, managing director of Trimega, added: "Just knowing the trafficpolice are equipped with drugalyzers could be a massive deterrent todrug-driving. One in three of those we've caught told us they actually thoughtthe device is a good idea and will now think twice before taking to the roadagain under the influence of drugs."

TheAA/Populus poll of 17500 drivers found:

?           53% of the over 55s felt that drug driving was a bigger problem than drinkdriving against 40% of 18-24 age group

?           48% of drivers in London, Scotland and Wakes felt drugs were a bigger problem

?           The Tyne Tees region had the highest percentage believing that drugs were abigger problem compared to 51% in the Midlands

Factfile

Drugscan affect drivers in a number of ways ranging from impaired concentration topoor reaction times:

Cannabis ? Impairedconcentration resulting in slower driver reaction times. Impaired steeringcontrol and co-ordination. The drug can also induce feelings of paranoia,drowsiness and disorientation.

Cocaine ? This stimulantdrug can result in drivers misjudging speed and stopping distances. The drugcan give drivers a feeling of overconfidence, which can lead to aggressivedriving and increased risk taking.

Ecstasy ?This stimulantdrug has hallucinogenic properties and can distort the driver's vision andaffect concentration. Drivers under the influence of "E" show asignificant decrease in their awareness of road dangers followed by severefatigue the following day.

LSD ?Thishallucinogenic drug can strongly influence a driver's senses. Drivers may reactto objects or sounds that aren't there, placing themselves and other road usersin danger.

Opiates ? Opiates lead toslower reaction time, lethargy, sleepiness and impaired co-ordination.

Tranquillisers ? These drugs mayimpair driver reaction times and can cause drowsiness.

TrimegaLaboratories

Establishedin London in 2005, has developedarrange of innovative techniques for testing substances of abuse. As well asdelivering roadside drug testing projects, it offers laboratory-based analysisof hair samples that provide accurate historical records of any alcohol ordrugs dependency over a three to 12 month period. This method is already beingused in the UK by social services, regulatory bodies, professions such asnurses and pilots, as well as being ordered by the Courts directly. Trimega wonthe title of Best Use of Technology in the 2008 Startups Awards, was a regionalwinner in the 2008 HSBC Start-up Stars and runner-up in the 2008 NationalBusiness Awards.