UK drug-driving in the spotlight

A panel of scientists and academics is being established by the UK Department for Transport (DfT) to advise on the possible implementation of rules covering drug-driving, along the lines of existing drink-driving laws. MDMA, cocaine, opiates and cannabis are seen by the DfT as the primary drugs for consideration. The experts will examine whether such a law should be introduced, with elements such as possible legal limits to be looked into. If it is decided the move is technically feasible, with regard to pu
March 23, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A panel of scientists and academics is being established by the UK 1837 Department for Transport (DfT) to advise on the possible implementation of rules covering drug-driving, along the lines of existing drink-driving laws. MDMA, cocaine, opiates and cannabis are seen by the DfT as the primary drugs for consideration. The experts will examine whether such a law should be introduced, with elements such as possible legal limits to be looked into. If it is decided the move is technically feasible, with regard to putting in place a universal level regarding medicinal or illegal drugs, alongside roadside testing, legislation may be brought in.

Meanwhile, UK road safety charity 4235 Brake and 4236 Direct Line Car Insurance are calling for the government to push through proposals on tackling drug driving, as a survey reveals one in nine young drivers (11 per cent) has driven on illegal drugs in the past year.

The survey by Brake and Direct Line found that three per cent of young drivers (age 17-24) said they get behind the wheel after taking drugs once a month or more. Slightly more young drivers are admitting drug driving than four years ago, when one in 11 young drivers (nine per cent) owned up to this behaviour.

Brake is calling for long-needed reform, including a new law making it an offence to drive while on illegal drugs, to rectify an existing loophole. Currently it is only an offence to drive while impaired by drugs, meaning police must prove impairment to prosecute. Brake is also calling for approval and roll-out of roadside drug screening devices, so police can test for drugs at the roadside and immediately following a crash.

Brake has produced a fact page on drug driving which is available at this link: %$Linker: External 0 0 0 oLinkExternal www.brake.org.uk/facts/drug-driving-an-overview.htm Fact Page on Drug Driving false http://www.brake.org.uk/facts/drug-driving-an-overview.htm false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ITS America’s latest report - vehicle electrification and the smart grid
    November 9, 2012
    The latest report from the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), entitled Vehicle Electrification and the Smart Grid - The Supporting Role of Safety and Mobility Services, is to be presented in a webinar hosted by Dr Kenneth Laberteaux, Senior Principal Research Scientist at Toyota Research Institute-North America. The webinar, entitled What’s Driving All This Driving? will be held on 15 November, at 1 p.m. Eastern Time. Click here for more information and to register. The report is
    Read More
  • Pittsburgh 2015 call for papers now open
    December 2, 2014
    Co-hosted with ITS Pennsylvania, ITS America’s 25th Annual Meeting and Exposition takes place in Pittsburgh on 1-3 June 2015 and is expected to attract more than 2,000 top transportation and technology policy-makers, innovators and engineers, investors, researchers and business leaders. The call for papers is now open and the ITS America Annual Meeting Program Committee is looking for high-quality papers for the technical program, ‘Bridges to Innovation’. The eight main program topics are: Safety; Sustai
    Read More
  • Zebra completes range with printer launch at CARTES 2013
    October 30, 2013
    Zebra Technologies Corporation is to complete its ZXP Series direct-to-card printer range at CARTES by launching a new standard printer, the ZXP Series 1. The entry level machine is designed for low volume printing needs – and at the same time, Zebra has announced enhancements to its ZXP Series 3 card printer for improved printer performance.
    Read More
  • European Court of Justice rules Uber as a Transport service
    December 22, 2017
    The European Court of Justice has ruled against Uber, concluding it to be a transport service, which will require it to have stricter regulation and licensing as a taxi operator within the EU. The decision follows a challenge presented by taxi drivers in Barcelona who were seeking a declaration from a court in 2014 that activities of Uber Systems Spain, amounted to misleading practices and acts of unfair competition.
    Read More

Highlighted Content