Sri Lanka Police plans to introduce on-site drug-testing kits for motorists within the next two to three months, according to Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasuriya.
The planned system is intended to allow Police officers to test drivers suspected of operating vehicles while under the influence of narcotics.
At present, suspected narcotics use generally requires medical testing for confirmation, unlike alcohol-related roadside enforcement where testing can be carried out more directly.
The IGP said Police were increasingly concerned about drug-impaired driving as a factor in serious road accidents.
A recent pilot operation involving bus drivers in and around Colombo found that more than 5% of those tested had been driving while under the influence of narcotics, according to the IGP.
He also said drug testing had been made mandatory for drivers involved in serious road accidents.
The proposed roadside kits are intended to allow suspected drug use to be identified more rapidly at the scene.
Not yet operational
The planned roadside testing system is not yet operating nationwide.
The IGP said the kits were expected to be introduced within approximately two to three months.
Details including:
- the specific testing technology;
- confirmation-testing procedures;
- evidentiary standards;
- operational guidelines; and
- safeguards governing enforcement
have not yet been fully set out in the information currently available.
Accordingly, this should be reported as an announced future enforcement measure, not as an existing nationwide Police testing system.
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