Drug Testing: What Drivers Need to Know
Updated: 1 day ago
Why is it illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs? These substances make it impossible to assess the road situation correctly, making the drug user a danger on the road both to himself and to others.
Driving under the influence of drugs is a crime
It should be pointed out that driving under the influence of drugs is not just a misdemeanour, but a crime. The law in Bulgaria expressly prohibits us from driving a motor vehicle under the influence of narcotic substances or their analogues. Whether negative consequences arose from this illegal behaviour is irrelevant. Driving under the influence of drugs is a crime even without consequences.
Which substances are drugs and which substances are their analogues?
A narcotic substance is any narcotic and psychotropic substance, as well as any other natural and synthetic substance that can cause a state of dependence and has a stimulating or depressing effect on the central nervous system, causes hallucinations or disorders of motor function, mental activity, behaviour, mood and other perceptions of the body. Among the most common drugs are marijuana, hashish, amphetamines, heroin and cocaine.
An analogue of a narcotic substance is any substance that is not included in the Regulation on the order for the classification of plants and substances as narcotic, but has a similar chemical structure to a narcotic substance and causes the same effect on the body. Analogues are also called designer drugs or structural drugs. The most famous narcotic analogues are LSD, Ecstasy (also known as MDMA) and Ketamine.
Amphetamine, marijuana, cocaine and opiates can be detected in urine even days after use with the SafeCare Combined Rapid Drug Test. You get results in just 5 minutes.
What are the penalties for driving under the influence of drugs?
In Bulgaria, people who drive after using drugs face having their driver's license revoked for up to 18 months. If it is established that the vehicle was provided for the use of a person who was under the influence of drugs, the driver's license is revoked and a fine of BGN 100 to BGN 300 is imposed. If the violation is repeated, a fine of BGN 300 to BGN 1500 is imposed. The administrative penalty is imposed by a traffic police officer with a document drawn up in front of a witness. Another traffic police officer may also be a witness.
When driving under the influence of a narcotic or its analogue is detected, the traffic police send a message to the appropriate prosecutor's office, which serves as a legal reason for initiating pre-trial proceedings. If a traffic officer sends a message and there is enough evidence that a crime has been committed, the prosecutor initiates proceedings and begins an investigation. If the prosecutor files an indictment and the court finds you guilty, you could face a sentence of imprisonment ranging from one to five years, a fine ranging from BGN 500 to BGN 1500, and losing the right to drive a motor vehicle for an extended period of time. These laws are specific for the territory of Bulgaria.
But most importantly, the use of drugs creates dangers for the life and health of all road users. Do not drive if you have narcotic substances in your system. It's quick and easy to find out with a specialised test.