Recent changes to the Traffic Laws are generating a heated debate. In fact, the legislation introduces stricter controls on driving under the influence of substancesincluding not only drugs and alcohol, but also common medications such as Tachipirina. This medicine, based on paracetamol, is widely used for fever and pain, but could alter the results of drug tests carried out by law enforcement.
According to the new law the active ingredient of paracetamol could leave traces detectable in saliva tests up to two days after intakeeven when there are no real effects on driving ability. This means that a motorist who took Tachipirina for a banal cold could see himself collect your license and seize the vehicle in the event of a roadside check.
This strict regulation is part of a broader fight against driving in impaired conditions, with the aim of increasing road safety. However, the elimination of the need to demonstrate a “state of psychophysical alteration” has raised criticism. Opponents point out that such a change could lead to paradoxical situations: disproportionate sanctions for those who take over-the-counter medications without any real impairment of clarity.
For drugs, tolerance is zero
A further controversial aspect concerns the reliability of preliminary drug tests. Studies show that these can produce false positives for some substances, including commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen and pseudoephedrine. The law provides for confirmatory tests to eliminate such errors, but the bureaucratic times and the immediate consequencessuch as driving license suspension, create discomfort and uncertainty for the motorists involved.
The legislation also introduces differentiated treatment for alcohol and drugs. While alcohol intake is punishable only above a certain threshold (0.5 g/l), for drugs the tolerance is zero. This approach raises doubts of proportionality and constitutionality, calling into question the fairness of the new provisions.
Finally, changes can complicate the life of those who hire cannabis-based therapeutic drugs. Although the law provides for medical assessments for specific cases, the risk of automatic sanctions remains. In short, although the objective of the legislation is to improve road safety, its application cannot help but raise more than one question.
