– Today, there are approximately 140 cars on Norwegian roads. people who drive under the influence of drugs every day. They pose a huge risk both to themselves and to other road users. We now want to strengthen control of pod drivers driving angle on drugs. We want the Customs Office, which has a significant presence at the border and has control competences, to be able to control the state of intoxication, says Transport Minister Jon-Ivar Nygård.
Today, only the police have the power to carry out inspections driving under the influence drugs. The Customs Service is already detaining drivers who are under the influence of drugs. However, until the Customs Service has the opportunity to conduct a preliminary examination on its own, some people will escape inspection. Such drivers still pose a risk to themselves and other road users.
The customs service will be able to examine and stop drivers under the influence of drugs
The Ministry of Transport and Communications therefore proposes, in consultation with the Ministry of Justice and Emergency Preparedness and the Ministry of Finance, that customs authorities should be given the power to control drugs in motor vehicle drivers during customs control. In the event of a positive test result or if the driver tries to avoid the check, the Customs Service, as proposed, will be authorized to detain the driver until further action is taken by the police.
– The presence of customs services at the border and their control competences indicate that it is reasonable to also use this competence to strengthen control of drivers for driving under the influence of drugs. This will strengthen and improve society's efforts against driving under the influence of drugs and will have a preventive effect. We know that driving under the influence of drugs is a significant factor in serious accidents road accidents. We believe this will increase road safety and reduce road accidents caused by driving under the influence of drugs, says Transport Minister Nygård.
Source: regjeringen
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