Research project DR/19 (Research action DR)
In many countries, the scientific evidence for the risks of drink-driving has been implemented in laws since several decades. In the Belgian legal system a ‘per se’ law on drink-driving came into force in 1958 and was modified in 1990, making it possible for police officers to use breathalysers to test and analyse breath alcohol concentrations. However, driving under the influence of illegal drugs and medicines is a quite recent phenomenon. Annex 6 of the Belgian Royal Decree of 23 March 1998 concerning the driver’s license stipulates the conditions of fitness to drive related to legal and illegal drugs and medicines. According to this document addiction to or abuse of these substances implies unfitness to drive. Based on a thorough scientific report, which gave an exhaustive overview of all knowledge on the influence of illegal drugs and medicines on driving ability available at that time, the Belgian authorities adopted a ‘per se’ law in 1999 sanctioning driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Among the member states of the European Union, only Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Finland and France have a ‘per se’ law.
After the Belgian law of 16 March 1999 regarding driving under the influence of illegal drugs came into force, further knowledge concerning the influence of legal and illegal drugs and medicines on driving ability and crash risk has been accumulated. To date, the implementation and enforcement of this law have not been evaluated. Therefore our hypothesis is that the current legislation, which was innovative in 1999, is generally adequate, but can be improved on some points. An updating translation of the actual knowledge in recommendations towards the Belgian enforcement policy seems appropriate. This is also confirmed in the “Federale Beleidsnota Drugs/19 januari 2001” (Federal Policy Note on Drugs of 19 January 2001), which states that the law of 1999 has to be evaluated on a yearly basis and that the public has to be informed about this law. Such an update could also indicate whether there is sufficient evidence to support the implementation of a law on driving under the influence of medicines and whether existing regulations on the driver’s license take the evidence into account.
The general objective of this research-proposal therefore encompasses an up to date translation of research results on the influence of legal and illegal drugs and medicines on driving ability and crash risk as a support to the Belgian enforcement policy. Based on a literature review, interviews with experts and on participation to checkpoints, the actual enforcement policy will be described. The research project will result in recommendations regarding legislation and regulations on driving under the influence of psychotropic substances. These recommendations will be discussed with a panel of national and international experts. At the end of the project a conference for policy makers and other interested parties will be organised.
Rijden onder invloed van psychoactieve stoffen : literatuursudie en evaluatie van het handhavingsbeleid
Scheers, Miran - Verstraete, Alain - Adriaensen, Myriam ... et al Gent : Academia Press, 2006 (PB6176)
Conduite sous l'influence de substances psychotropes : résumé
Bruxelles : Politique scientifique fédérale, 2006 (SP1625)
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Rijden onder invloed van psychoactieve stoffen : samenvatting
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2006 (SP1626)
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Rijden onder invloed van psychoactieve stoffen: lijst bijlagen
russel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2006 (SP1644)
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Rijden onder invloed van psychoactieve stoffen : bijlagen
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2006 (SP1645)
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Rijden onder invloed van psychoactieve stoffen : uitgebreiden samenvatting
Brussel : Federaal Wetenschapsbeleid, 2006 (SP1646)
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Driving under the influence of psychoactive substances : summary
Brussels : Belgian Science Policy, 2006 (SP1647)
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