Personal injury lawyers back tighter curbs on drug-drivers

Posted: 21/05/2012

Legislation announced last week to make drug-driving a specific offence has been welcomed by the personal injury group at Penningtons Solicitors LLP. Until now, police have had to demonstrate that driving has been impaired by drugs to prosecute a driver, even if they are aware of drug consumption. Under the proposed legislation, it will automatically be an offence to drive a motor vehicle if you have certain controlled drugs in your body in excess of specified limits. This will make it much easier for police to take action against drug-drivers. Devices to screen for drugs in the body are expected to receive type approval from the Home Office by the end of the year.

The penalty for the new offence will be a maximum of six months' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £5,000, and an automatic driving ban of at least 12 months.

Road safety minister Mike Penning said: "Drug-drivers are a deadly menace - they must be stopped and that is exactly what I intend to do. The new offence sends out a clear message that if you drive while under the influence of drugs, you will not get away with it."

The serious injury team at Penningtons has encountered several cases recently where police have been unable to pursue drivers who have tested positive for drugs after a road traffic accident because they could not distinguish the effects of the drugs from those of alcohol. Partner Philippa Luscombe comments:"We are concerned at what seems to be an increase in the number of young people driving after drug consumption and see at first hand the devastating injuries that are caused where drug consumption may have been a contributing factor. We therefore consider the new proposals to be a step forwards for road safety."

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