Deputy defends expanding Dry Law to monitor the use of other drugs
Author of the Dry Law, federal deputy Hugo Leal (PSD-RJ) defended this Wednesday (18) the expansion of inspection mechanisms to identify drivers under the influence of other drugs, in addition to alcohol.
Currently, the device known as a "breathalyzer" is not capable of detecting the use of other substances, such as marijuana. However, driving under the influence of psychoactive drugs is already characterized in the Brazilian Traffic Code as a "very serious punishment".
"We have evolved, we have already discussed the issue of other drugs in several other environments. Inspection is necessary, a little more complex, but it is necessary for you to act, move towards other drugs that also take away the driver's motor capacity", stated the deputy.
The parliamentarian participated in a seminar celebrating the 18th anniversary of the legislation, which established the zero tolerance policy for the combination of alcoholic beverages and driving. Created in June 2008, the Dry Law promoted important changes in Brazilian traffic behavior and expanded inspection throughout the country.
According to data from Senatran (National Traffic Secretariat), more than 3.2 million infractions have been recorded since 2008, of which 2.1 million relate to refusals to take a breathalyzer test. According to the author of the text, more than 60 thousand lives were saved as a result of the law.
"I think there is a change in behavior that also generates a change in generation, in the evaluation of young people, of people who, for example, someone who was 10 years old when the Dry Law was enacted, is now 28. And, certainly, her concept of drinking and driving was different from those in other generations", said the deputy.
Although the legislation has progressed, discussions about toughening punishments are still ongoing in the National Congress. One of the proposals in progress foresees an increase in penalties for drivers involved in fatal accidents. The proposal, presented in 2014, suggests that, in cases of accidents resulting in death, the driver must face a fine multiplied by 100 times the current value, of R$293.47, and suspension of the driver's license for 10 years.
If the victim becomes permanently disabled (in cases without the possibility of rehabilitation), the fine will be multiplied by 50 times the current value and the driver's license suspended for five years.
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Source: CNN