The updated Drug Strategy:
Drugs and driving
The law
Drug-driving is just as serious an offence as drink-driving. Under section 4 of the Road Traffic Act 1988, ‘ A person who, when driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle on a road or public place is unfit to drive through drink or drugs, is guilty of an offence ’ .
- The act says that ‘ a person shall be taken to be unfit to drive if his ability to drive properly is for the time being impaired ’.
- ‘ Drugs ’ is defined as ‘ including any intoxicant other than alcohol ’ and therefore includes medical drugs and over-the -counter preparations that may make drivers sleepy or otherwise impaired.
Most people do not realise that the penalties for a conviction are the same as for drink-driving (or for refusing to provide a sample for analysis at a police station): a minimum 12-month disqualification, a fine of up to £5000 and six months in prison.
The effects
The Department for Transport has published studies into the effects of Cannabis combined with alcohol on driving. Those who take high doses of Cannabis may experience an adverse effect on their ability to control a car, with driver performance becoming unpredictable.
- Cannabis: Slower reaction time, memory problems, impaired steering control, coordination and more.
- Opiates: Slower reaction time, impaired co-ordination, lethargy, sleepiness and more.
- Cocaine: Increased risk taking, over confidence, severe fatigue the following day and more.
- Amphetamines: Increased risk taking, over confidence, severe fatigue the following day and more.
- Ecstasy: Increased risk taking, over confidence, severe fatigue the following day and more.
Police enforcement
The benefits of recognising the outward signs of drug consumption are obvious. Field impairment tests help demonstrate impairment by testing divided attention and coordination
- They include walking in a straight line and turning, and standing on one leg for 30 seconds. Officers use these tests to help them reach a judgment on whether a driver may be impaired and whether it may be due to drugs.
- See also: Section 6 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (c. 52) (testing for drink or drugs)>>