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

  • Advantech understands the advantage of AI
    March 20, 2018
    Approaches to traffic management are often seen as ‘intelligent’ because they provide information that support smart decisions. The next step for making smarter solutions is the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI). By using AI-technology, managing traffic count and traffic flow can be done by machines that are able to learn. Advantech says that it is spearheading such development of AI in the area of traffic management with its hardware that allows the integration data collection and managemen
    Read More
  • TEST Real time traffic updates
    March 15, 2013
    Motorists in Belgium can now obtain real time traffic and travel updates at selected Total fuel stations, thanks to information supplied by mobility services provider Be-Mobile displayed on screens designed and implemented by digital communications specialist Dobit. The up to the minute graphical traffic overview displays traffic jams, road works and accidents. The screens will switch views from traffic information to in-house deals for shoppers and other relevant information, which Total hopes will increa
    Read More
  • Used EV batteries to transform stationary storage
    August 26, 2016
    According to a report (link http://about.bnef.com/landing-pages/new-life-used-ev-batteries-stationary-storage/.) by Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF), the electric vehicle market is set to grow quickly, but so far there has been no consensus on a ‘second-life’ for the many used EV batteries. In this report, senior analyst Claire Curry has compiled the first data and shows that low-cost energy storage could be here sooner than previously thought. She projects that there will be 29 GWh of used EV batter
    Read More
  • New ITS America report examines the shared-use mobility sector
    September 29, 2015
    A new report by the Intelligent Transportation Society of America (ITS America), in conjunction with AT&T, investigates how evolving mobile technology and changing demands of the traveling public are shaping the future of transportation in a more connected world. This report, entitled Rise of the Real-Time Traveler, examines the public’s changing demographics and purchasing behaviors while focusing on shared-use mobility in an increasingly connected world. Utilizing a broad array of research, this report
    Read More

Highlighted Content