DRIVING when under the influence of drugs will not be tolerated is the message being given to East Hampshire drivers by local traffic police.

Three officers from the traffic section recently took part in a special drug recognition training scheme, which taught them how to carry out tests on drivers thought to be under the influence of drugs.

Pc Robert Hall, Pc David Brindley and Pc Craig Bodenham completed the course and are now qualified to put their training into practice.

The tests include examining the eyes and other physical tests to see if the driver has been impaired by a drug.

Standing on one leg, being able to walk in a straight line and being able to touch the tip of your nose with the tip of your finger are other tests derived from the system used to good effect in the United States since the 1970s.

Sgt Howard Lovegrove said that the dangers of driving when under the influence of drugs have been underrated in the past.

ÒThe message that needs to be got across is that we are not only targeting drink-drivers but also looking at the ability to drive while under the influence of both controlled and prescribed drugs,Ó he said.

ÒWe would encourage people to look at the information given with prescribed drugs as some do advise against driving and operating heavy machinery.Ó

Pc Hall, Pc Brindley and Pc Bodenham are just three of the 60 traffic officers throughout Hampshire who should be qualified by the end of June.

The drug recognition training comes as a result of a successful trial in Portsmouth where 15 officers were given the skills necessary to carry out the tests.

Pc Jon Lansley, of Cosham, and Pc Nick Ellcome, of Fratton, are responsible for training the Hampshire officers after they attended the national instructorsÕ course in Northampton.

Speaking about the initiative Pc Ellcome said: ÒThere is a common misconception that only the illegal drugs are the ones likely to cause you a problem behind the wheel.

ÒYou can be equally as impaired by taking medication prescribed by a doctor or over-the-counter medicines.Ó

And driving under the influence of drugs carries the same penalties as drink driving.

People convicted of an offence could find themselves disqualified, paying a fine, imprisoned or a combination of all three.

Drivers who fail when tested will be arrested and taken to a police station where they will be seen by a police surgeon.

If the doctor feels they may be under the influence of drugs, they will usually be required to give a sample of blood or urine for analysis.

Police have said that Home Office statistics indicate that as many as 18 per cent of motorists might be driving while impaired through drugs.

Pc Lansley said: ÒWe will never cure the problem of drugs, but the introduction of these tests is just another tool that we can use to help protect the motoring public in Hampshire.Ó

A number of people have already been convicted of drugs-driving in Hampshire using the tests.

ÒItÕs definitely a great idea to roll this type of testing out across the force and hopefully it will also act as a deterrent and reminder to the public,Ó said Pc Lansley.