Driving under Influence of Drugs Becomes Criminal Offense

Georgia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) reports that driving a car under the influence of drugs, psychotropic or psychoactive substances will be punishable by criminal law.

The changes take place from April 1.

The amendments to the law read that driving a vehicle under the influence of a narcotic substance will be punishable either by a fine or imprisonment up to one year.

The amendments also envisage deprivation of a driver’s license for a period of three years.

The ministry said the police will be entitled to request drivers undergo drug tests if they see the existence of grounds envisaged by the law.

The MIA says driving a car under the influence of narcotic substances is criminalized in many European countries, including France, Germany, Holland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Croatia, Estonia, Romania, Finland, Sweden, and others.

By Thea Morrison