Drug drivers beware:- "zero tolerance law" in force
A new law against drug driving coming into force on 2 March 2015 has been strongly welcomed by road safety charity Brake, which has been campaigning for the law alongside families bereaved by drug driving. The law will make it a criminal offence to drive with drugs in your body in England and Wales, removing the need to prove impairment and making it much easier to prosecute drug drivers.
The new law has specified zero tolerance limits for a range of illegal drugs, and will be enforced with the aid of roadside screening devices. Those found guilty will face a maximum 6 month jail sentence, £5,000 fine, and automatic 12 month driving ban.
The new law that is now in force makes it illegal to drive with certain drugs above specified blood
levels in the body.
These limits are set at very low levels for 8 illegal drugs that include
cannabis and cocaine and 8 medicines that have been set at a higher limit.
The extent of the UK's drug driving problem was revealed by Brake last year, in
their survey finding that the equivalent of 1 million drivers (3%) admitted to
having driven on drugs in the past year. 11% said they thought they had been a
passenger with a driver on drugs. It's estimated that drug driving may account
for as many as 200 deaths a year in the UK.
As well as tackling drivers on illegal drugs, the law clarifies the position for
drivers using medication, with set limits for a number of prescribed drugs that
can affect driving. Drivers taking medication in accordance with the advice of a
healthcare professional will not be at risk of arrest.
Brake is reminding drivers that some prescription and over the counter
medications can make you unsafe on the road, and is urging them to always read
the label, or check with their doctor or pharmacist if unsure, and never to
drive if their driving may be impaired. A Brake survey, conducted in June 2014, found
17% of drivers either ignore warnings not to drive or do not check at all.
Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said:- "Drug driving wrecks
lives, and it is a crime for which there is no excuse. We are delighted that our
long-running campaign for a tougher law is finally seeing success. We believe
the government is doing the right thing by taking a zero tolerance approach; we
hope this will make it clear that driving on any amount of drugs won't be
tolerated. Anyone tempted to drive on drugs should be in absolutely no doubt of
the penalties they face for endangering people's lives and that it simply isn't
worth the risk. We will continue to campaign for further action to stamp out
risky, illegal driving that ends and ruins lives daily. The crucial next step to
back up this and other vital life saving traffic laws is for government to give
greater priority to traffic policing, to ensure the recent trend of falling
traffic Police numbers is reversed."
The new law is also being welcomed by the family of 14 year old Croydon school
girl Lillian Groves, who was killed outside her home by a speeding driver on
cannabis in June 2010. Their campaigning was instrumental in securing the
change, which is also known as Lillian's Law.
Lillian's mum, Natasha Groves, said:- "The new law is very welcome. We are
pleased the government has taken on board the severity of drug driving and acted
accordingly by implementing zero tolerance limits, roadside drug testing and
serious penalties for those found guilty. The legislation is now up to date and
fit for purpose. Having to prove impairment will no longer be a matter of
judgement, but a testable fact. When we learnt, in 2011, that this was not
already the case, it was incomprehensible. We have fought tirelessly since
losing Lillian, and our determination has brought about this significant change.
It has been a tough and emotional journey for us all. Lillian is not the only
one to have lost her life through the ignorance, arrogance and stupidity of
those who mix drugs with driving. Those who continue to drive while on drugs
from 2 March will now have so much to lose. We have achieved this law change in
Lillian's name and her legacy will live on and our roads will be that bit
safer."
Sergeant Paul Mountford from Merseyside Police Roads Policing Unit said:- "This new law states that it is an offence to drive with certain drugs above specified blood levels in the body, whether you're driving impaired or not. As with alcohol, drugs do impair your ability to drive and is just as unacceptable. A drug drive conviction will have a serious effect on your life including a criminal record, a minimum 12 month driving ban and a fine of up to £5000. It could also cost you your job."
Merseyside Police has been one of a number of forces who have equipped their
custody suites with a device to test suspected drug drivers. If the test result
is positive, a blood or urine sample is taken, with no need to call a doctor to
confirm the presence of a condition due to drugs. This, Merseyside Police says:-
"saves valuable time in obtaining the evidential sample, provides a more
straightforward process and reduces the time that officers spend in custody
suites."
Under the new law, Merseyside Police told us that when a suspected driver is 1st stopped at the roadside:-
"the officer will firstly require an alcohol breath
test. If the result is negative, but there is evidence, or the officer suspects
the driver of taking drugs, he or she will be asked to undertake a roadside drug
impairment test (FIT). If the evidence is sufficient, the officer may
arrest the driver for impaired driving. At the Police station the driver will be
required to provide a preliminary saliva drug test. The new legislation
also complements our existing powers and, as with drink driving, there is a
'screening' process, which could be either a 'FIT' test or use of drug testing
wipes or drug testing machine we now have in custody. Blood is still required to
be taken following the screening to be able to prove the offence. Our main
aim across Merseyside is to improve the safety of road users and this
legislation provides us with an additional tool to help us with this task. As
with drink driving, our advice is simple, just do not drive if you have taken
drugs."
Find out more about Brake's:- 'Not A Drop / Not A Drag' campaign.
follow it on Tweeter via:- @Brakecharity,
#NotADrag.
More information on the new law can be found at:- Gov.UK/Drug-Driving-Law.
Facts
► Illegal drugs have a variety of very serious negative effects on driving
ability, and the effects can be highly unpredictable given their unregulated and
variable nature. Drugs affect different people in different ways and the effects
can last for days, sometimes without that person being aware of it. The likely
effects of some common illegal drugs on driving include:-
► Cannabis slows your reaction times, affects your coordination and concentration
and makes you drowsy.
► 'Stimulant' drugs such as ecstasy, speed and cocaine distort your perceptions and make you jumpy. They can also make you over confident or paranoid and confused.
► Heroin and other opiates make you feel relaxed and sleepy, slowing reaction times and impairing coordination.
Historically, levels of drug driving have not
been fully recorded, but research suggests that the scale of the problem may be
similar to drink driving. A study by the Transport Research Laboratory found
that 18% of drivers and 16% of motorcyclists killed in road crashes had traces
of illegal drugs in their system, the most common being cannabis. It's been
estimated 200 deaths a year may result from drug driving.
As of 2 March 2015, it is an offence to drive with drugs in your body in England
and Wales, regardless of whether impairment is proven. The offence carries a
maximum 6 month jail sentence, maximum £5,000 fine, and automatic 12 month
driving ban. Roadside drug testing devices will be used by Police to catch drug
drivers.
Many prescription and over the counter medications can also impair your ability
to drive safely, for instance by causing drowsiness or affecting reactions
times, coordination, concentration or vision. These include some cough and cold
medicines, anti inflammatory, anti histamines, antibiotics, antidepressants,
epilepsy drugs and sleeping pills.
Brake's advice
► Never risk taking illegal drugs and driving. Their effects are unpredictable,
but research shows they can have a disastrous impact on your ability to drive
safely. Drugs and alcohol is an especially deadly combination.
► It is impossible to judge how impaired you are or if a friend is impaired, so if
you or a mate has been taking drugs, you should assume you're unfit to drive,
even if you feel okay. The effects of drugs can last a long time.
They can also badly disrupt sleep and make you a risk behind the wheel for days
as a result. That's why you can't have illegal drugs and driving in your life at
the same time without posing a danger to yourself and others.
► When taking any medication you should always check the label to see if it could affect your ability to drive. If the label says your driving could be affected, it could make you drowsy, or not to drive if you feel drowsy, then assume you could be impaired and don't drive on it. If you are unsure if your medication could affect driving, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
► Never drive if the label or a health professional recommends you don't, or says you could be affected, or if you feel drowsy or slow. If your medication affects your driving, stop driving, not your medication; make arrangements for alternative transport, or if you need to drive seek an alternative medication.
