UK Police Taking the Pills in Clampdown on Drug Driving

Motorists who get behind the wheel after taking illegal drugs - or even ordinary prescription pills - face a criminal record, loss of their licence for at least a year and a fine of up to £5000 under new laws introduced on March 2.

The new legislation makes it illegal to drive with certain drugs in the body above specified levels, including eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs. Police forces will be able to use new screening equipment to test suspected drug drivers. 

The laws on #DrugDriving will change on Monday — affecting both illegal and prescription drugs. Find out more here: http://t.co/xhfDFnhWtA

— Addaction (@AddactionUK) February 28, 2015

Officers can screen drivers for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside. They will be able to test for these and other drugs including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin at a police station, even if a driver passes the roadside check. 

This new law, coupled with the testing kits, will make it quicker to identify those driving under the influence of drugs and help the prosecution of drug drivers. It remains an offence to drive while under the influence of any drug, including medication.

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."

Driving Pain

The law covers eight drugs commonly associated with medicinal use, including morphine (used to treat pain), diazepam, temazepam (used to treat anxiety or inability to sleep) and methadone (used to treat drug addiction).

New research conducted by road safety organisation THINK! reveals that 20 percent of those surveyed know someone who has driven after taking illegal drugs.

Almost half of those surveyed (49 percent) said that as a passenger, they would not feel comfortable asking a driver if they were under the influence of illegal drugs.

Of those who admitted to driving under the influence of illegal drugs, 55 percent said they did so because they felt safe to drive and 60 percent revealed they had previously driven a car when they were unsure if they were still under the influence of illegal drugs.

Dr Kim Wolff, Reader in Addiction Science at King's College London and an advisor for the government drug drive policy, said: "It is worrying to note that so many drug drivers said they felt safe to drive after taking illegal drugs.

"Illegal drugs seriously impair skills required to drive safely, such as reaction time and decision making."

"In many cases those who take certain illegal drugs believe that they are safe to drive, but are in fact putting themselves and others at risk. Greater awareness of the dangers of drug driving is important as we move forward with this important step towards safer roads," he said.