Panel to consider drug-driving law

04/01/12

By Peter Woodman

The Government is setting up an expert panel to consider the technical aspects of introducing a new offence of driving with an illegal drug in your body.

The panel will look at how such an offence could be defined as well as considering whether it is possible to set levels for the impairing effects of specific drugs.

The panel could start work this spring.

It is likely that the panel will consider whether it is possible to identify, for average members of the adult population, the levels of drugs that have an impairing effect broadly equivalent to the current blood-alcohol level.

Panel members will consider this effect for a number of drugs including cocaine, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), cannabis, and opiates.

The group's remit will be to provide scientific, evidence-based technical advice and not to provide policy or legal advice.

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."