Ministers are considering the introduction of a new drug-driving offence that could make it easier to prosecute motorists who have taken illegal substances.
At present, prosecutors must show that a driver’s capabilities behind the wheel have been impaired by their drug use in order to secure a conviction.
But the government now wants a panel of experts to examine the potential for a new crime of driving after taking an illegal drug.
‘Harder to deal with’
The Department for Transport (DfT) said that while it was currently relatively easy to enforce the law against driving while under the influence of alcohol, it was far more difficult to bring motorists who were driving after taking drugs to justice.
The expert panel will look at how any new offence will be defined, as well as whether it is possible to set out how any particular drug impairs performance behind the wheel.
It will also consider whether the effects of mixing illegal drugs and alcohol need to be taken into account.
A poll carried out last year by Confused.com found that more than 70 per cent of people wanted the government to take a tougher stance on drug-driving.
Road-safety minister Mike Penning said: “Britain has some of the safest roads in the world but we know how important it is to tackle the menace of drug driving.”
“That is why we are putting together a panel of experts to give us advice on the technical aspects of introducing a new offence of driving with an illegal drug in your body.”
Support for the proposal
Charity Brake said the government needed to act urgently to tackle the menace of drug-driving.
The organisation is backing the introduction of a law making it illegal to drive while on drugs. Brake is also calling for the roll-out of roadside drug screening devices, so police can test for drugs immediately following a crash.
Research carried out by the charity found that one in nine drivers under the age of 25 admitted having driven after taking illegal in the past 12 months.
Ellen Booth, Brake’s senior campaigns officer, said: “The risks of driving on drugs are huge, and the consequences devastating – yet a huge proportion of young drivers are taking this appalling gamble with their own and others' lives.
“We need all drivers to pledge to never mix drugs and driving, and we need the government to follow through with its commitment to tackle this problem. For too long the law on drug driving has been totally inadequate.
“We need a ban on driving with illegal drugs in your system, and we need roadside drugalysers. The longer this takes, the more lives will be violently and tragically lost.”
