This summer will see the drug testing of motorists extended to cover the whole of Andalucia, with the Guardia Civil and Local Police carrying out controls.
Since last November, the Guardia Civil has tested around 400 motorists for drugs with 60% testing positive for cannabis, cocaine or both.
The Guardia Civil first carry out an alcohol test and if this proves negative but the driver shows irrational behaviour, babbles incessantly or has dilated pupils, a drug test is carried out using a saliva sample. Unlike with alcohol, however, there is no ‘scale’, a driver is either ‘high’ or ‘not high’.
Local Police are being asked to purchase the necessary testing equipment in preparation for this extension to the testing policy. During 2011, 194 Local Police officers were trained to carry out drug testing duties.