drug driving

Roads in England and Wales plan to free the road of drug drivers following the implementation of a new legislation that will help police forces to catch and convict them.

According to the legislation, driving with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs is illegal and such motorists will face a criminal record, loss of their licence for at least a year and a fine of up to £5,000.

Police forces will use new screening equipment to test suspected drug drivers and can screen drivers for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside.

Even if a driver passes the roadside check, he or she can be tested for other drugs, including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin at a police station.

"If you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction."

Said to be coupled with the testing kits, the new law will help police to quickly identify those driving under the influence of drugs and help their prosecution.

Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: "This new law will save lives. We know driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous; it devastates families and ruins lives.

"The government’s message is clear, if you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction."

THINK! has conducted a new research, which revealed that 20% of those surveyed know someone who has driven after taking illegal drugs and almost 49% of them said that they would not feel comfortable asking a driver if they were under the influence of illegal drugs.

Approximately 55% of those who admitted to driving under the influence of illegal drugs said that they felt safe to drive and 60% revealed that earlier they had driven a car when they were unsure if they were still under the influence of illegal drugs.

Image: Police will use screening equipment to test suspected drug drivers. Photo: courtesy of UK Government.