News
The article is more than 12 years old

False Positives on Drug Tests Keep Drivers off the Road

Police-administered drug tests given to motorists frequently produce false positives. Parliamentary Ombudsman Jussi Pajuoja says officers should not place too much faith in the results.

Poliisin pikahuumetesteri.
Poliisin pikahuumetesteri. Image: Mari Latva-Karjanmaa / Yle

Pajuoja says tests for less-commonly used drugs are the least reliable. He expressed alarm that the tests give a false positive two thirds of the time for drugs including cannabis, cocaine and opiates.

Meanwhile, false positives for amphetamines – which are the most common drugs among drivers – occur nearly ten percent of the time.

Police are considering regulatory changes to prevent motorists from losing the right to drive if they falsely test positive for drugs. Pajuoja adds that officers should be aware of the limitations of the tests.

Several people who have unfairly lost the right to drive have filed complaints with the Parliamentary Ombudsman.

Sources: YLE