The new law that came into force yesterday (2nd March 2015) regarding driving under the influence of drugs caused much discussion in the press.
As some expressed their relief at finally getting the legislation passed by government having campaigned for years in memory of those they had lost in accidents caused by drivers driving under the influence of drugs (rather than alcohol), others questioned why it had taken so long for the UK to ‘catch up’ in using the technology that has been in use around the world for some time.
On the radio, those who habitually smoke cannabis and drive questioned why the UK should take a ‘zero tolerance’ approach if there’s still a legal limit of alcohol you can have in your system before you are prosecuted. The parents of those who habitually smoke cannabis and drive spoke, with voices trembling, about how scared they are of their children driving in such a state – often more worried about what damage their child might do to another family rather than the consequences to their own child.
‘Drugalysers’ can now be used at the roadside by Police to test for cannabis and cocaine – and Officers will be able test for a wider range of illegal and prescription drugs at Police stations. The inclusion of prescription drugs in this list has caused much discussion – the BBC have covered many of the answers to these questions in this article which looks at it in a practical rather than emotional way.
A the THINK! website says, the consequences of driving under the influence of drugs can stretch beyond the practical ones of being banned from driving for a minimum of a year, up to a £5000 fine and a criminal record. The site also gives some practical tips for those considering taking illegal drugs (at least they realise it does happen) and getting home safely – whether this message is going to reach those concerned is, of course a different matter.