Filenews 26 February 2025
40 professional drivers lost their right to a driver's license for buses and taxis since 2019 because they had been convicted of possession or use of drugs decades ago.
The Minister of Justice and Public Order went to the Legal Affairs Committee today with a proposal that resolves the issues raised and removes the reservations of MPs and professionals.
As Mr. Hartsiotis mentioned, the reservation in the bill of the MPs concerned the preservation of the integrity of the process of examining drivers whether they have used drugs as well as the results.
In order to remove the reservations of the Ministries of Justice and Transport, a proposal was submitted by the Minister of Justice for the adoption of narcotests such as those carried out on drivers of motor vehicles under the Road Safety Law of 1986 (174/1986).
As he said, the length of time drugs remain in the body varies depending on the user's metabolism, the type of substance, the amount of the substance, etc. Therefore, any tests must be done for this purpose at an unexpected time and under conditions that ensure the correctness of the tests so that they are effective and serve the purpose for which they are done.
For obvious reasons, the relevant provision should allow at least three such unexpected checks per year. Also, as the Minister of Justice noted, drug addicts who wish to become professional drivers must apply to a rehabilitation center for appropriate treatment and then present a recovery certificate to secure the license. In addition, there are drugs that cause permanent damage, but there is no test to measure the degree of damage. There are, of course, extreme cases which will be evident anyway.
Therefore, the Ministry of Justice and Public Order recommends that provisions be included in the draft law, so that where and where there is a suspicion of reduced driving ability, the ability to drive can be tested with a driving test and the license is given only after the ability to drive safely has been established
Finally, it is recommended by the Ministry of Justice that a person convicted of possession, use and/or smoking of a controlled drug be deprived of the right to obtain or hold a license for a motor vehicle of categories "L" and "T" unless
(a) A period of seven years has elapsed since his release, in case he is sentenced to imprisonment
(b) A period of ten years has elapsed since his conviction.
These suggestions of Mr. Hartsiotis seem to find agreement with all involved, so they will be incorporated into the bill before it is brought to a vote.
