UK: Drug-driving peril is on the increase

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UK: Drug-driving peril is on the increase


Charlie Morton

Bristol Evening Post


Saturday 26 Jul 2003


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The number of people taking drugs and driving is on the increase, with
about a quarter of those involved in accidents found to be under the
influence, experts have warned. While drink-driving has reduced, there is
evidence that drug-driving is on the increase in the UK.

The worrying trend has been identified by the RAC as part of a major study
into driving habits on Britain's roads.

RAC spokeswoman Rebecca Bell said that the problem of drug-driving appeared
to be rising.

She said: "National crime statistics show that drug use is on the rise,
particularly among young people.

"And that ties in with our findings that more and more people are taking to
roads whilst under the influence."

Since 1988, there has been a six-fold increase in the number of people
killed in road accidents who had traces of illegal drugs in their body.

It is an issue that has been specifically targeted in the Bristol area.

Throughout May, Avon and Somerset police ran Operation Toxic, a pilot
project with patrols targeting motorists who drove while unfit because they
had taken drugs.

Officers stopped motorists who were driving erratically and if they passed
a breath test asked them to take part in a voluntary impairment test.

Similar to the old roadside drink-driving check, it involved a series of
physical tasks designed to demonstrate the driver's co-ordination, reflex
response and concentration.

The physical check was necessary because the roadside 'drugalyser' has not
yet had Home Office approval and will not be available until next year at
the earliest.

The RAC research also revealed that despite the threats to safety from
drug-driving, the vast majority of companies do not conduct random drug
tests on employees.

It was also revealed that nine out of ten motorists support the
introduction of machines to test for the presence of illicit drugs at the
roadside.

Experts also concluded that driving under the influence of cannabis or
marijuana is perceived as less dangerous than driving under the influence
of class A drugs.

While 82 per cent of motorists believe 'hard' drugs such as ecstasy,
cocaine and heroin are extremely dangerous, only 65 per cent think that
driving under the influence of softer drugs such as cannabis or marijuana
can be dangerous.


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hahahhaha,,,, i bet you werent expecting a punchline were you! lol.
"cannabis or marijuana"
hahahaha.