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Recently updated on March 6, 2023 at 08:40 am
In addition to alcohol Drugs at the wheel one of the most common reasons for losing a driver's license. The long and unpredictable detection time of certain substances as well as all sorts of rumors and myths about drugs and narcotics regularly cause the officers to shake their heads during general traffic stops. Quite apart from the fact that illegal substances can be generally harmful to the body and psyche, taking them poses a particular risk to road users. Reduced reaction times, distorted perception and psychoactive processes in the brain are unfortunately often fatal for both consumers and innocent bystanders.
How do drugs affect you fitness to drive?
Both soft and hard drugs change perceptions and have been banned from road traffic for this reason. Mixed consumption and additional alcohol consumption in particular lead to violent reactions that have a significant impact on judgement:
- Cannabis: Reduced ability to react, pseudohallucinations, euphoria, disturbed spatial perception, motor disorders, sensitivity to light
- Cocaine: Increased willingness to take risks, loss of reality, suicidal thoughts (especially when "getting down"), reduced ability to react, tunnel vision, overconfidence
- LSD / Hallucinogens: (Pseudo-)hallucinations, loss of reality, states of anxiety, psychoses, delusions of persecution
- Opiate: Circulatory collapse, respiratory paralysis, reduced performance
- Speed: Overconfidence, loss of reality, paranoia, increased willingness to take risks
What is the penalty for drug driving?
There is no blanket statement on the penalty for driving under the influence of drugs. Courts consider each case individually, taking a look at the exact situation, the type and amount of drugs, the person involved and their history. Unlike alcohol, however, there is a zero-tolerance limit, which ensures that drugs in traffic always have consequences.
As soon as the results of a blood test reveal illegal substances or their degradation products, severe penalties can be expected. Fines, the loss of driving licence and the arrangement of an MPU are common. If personal injury occurs, imprisonment cannot be ruled out. In addition, the injured party can claim compensation for pain and suffering and initiate civil proceedings.
Drug driving during probationary period
Driving under the influence of drugs during the probationary period is considered an A-violation, that is, a serious violation of applicable traffic laws. The extension of the probationary period by a further two years is unavoidable. The costs for the arranged advanced seminar have to be paid out of your own pocket. Another A-violation during the extended probationary period will result in a warning or withdrawal of the driver's license.
How long are drugs detectable?
For Alcohol at the wheel there are clearly defined limits, according to which the level of punishment is based. This is not the case with intoxicants. If the driver can be proven to be unfit to drive (accident, wavy lines, gross driving errors), this is a criminal offence. If, on the other hand, the driver is inconspicuous and was caught during a random traffic check, a first offense constitutes a traffic offense that usually entails lighter penalties.
A rapid drug test is generally voluntary, but can be ordered by a judge. The results of the blood test, which is to be carried out by a laboratory after a positive rapid test, are decisive for a procedure.
Beware of designer drugs and so-called pre-drugs: Every year, slightly modified intoxicants appear that differ slightly in their molecular composition from the original substance. Hallucinogens in particular are affected by this. Only after ingestion is the slightly modified substance converted in the body and achieve the desired effect.
The breakdown products, which are largely responsible for the detectability, usually do not differ and are indicated by a rapid drug test. Even if the person concerned can show that they have taken a theoretically legal substance, a court can argue that there was a traffic hazard. In such cases, it can be assumed that the consumer knew what he was taking and what effects to expect.
MPU for drug driving
The competent authorities often order an MPU for drug driving. In addition to preparatory courses, the final examination and the actual punishment, the laboratory costs for the proof of abstinence also have an impact. The cost of an MPU for drug driving can quickly add up to several thousand euros.
The medical-psychological examination consists of three parts. As part of the medical examination, a doctor determines whether the person concerned is physically fit to drive a motor vehicle on public roads. The second part consists of a reaction test to be carried out on a computer. The real challenge is the third part of the MPU. The traffic offender must credibly assure a trained traffic psychologist that he has learned from his misconduct. Only when the expert is convinced that the person concerned will not pose a further risk to road traffic in the future can he issue a positive report.
An MPU because of drugs is not to be underestimated. Preparatory courses with reputable providers are highly recommended in order to avoid additional costs due to unnecessary failed attempts. Because the opportunity costs of losing your driver's license are immense: Losing your job, social isolation and immobility are side effects that cause additional problems afterwards.
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