Back
PACTS: Drink and drug driving – the tip of an iceberg?
09 March 2021
The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has published a new report ‘Drink driving – the tip of an iceberg?’ urging the UK government to review their approach to tackling drug driving.
The report found that law enforcement bodies across the UK have drastically different approached to tackling the issue of drug driving. In some cases, the high cost and time needed to conduct blood testing is resulting in police using it only in some cases, instead of as a routine roadside test.
The report details that a staggering 44% of recorded offences are committed by reoffenders. One offender who committed ‘driving or attempting to drive with drug level above the specified limit’ was found to have committed 18 previous drink and drug driving offences.
PACTS recommend that a new drug drive rehabilitation course and high-risk offender scheme should be implemented with better screening for drug and mental health problems and clear pathways to treatment.
Comparing the handling of drug driving to the ‘postcode lottery’ David Davies, executive director of PACTS said, “This report by PACTS shows we still lack answers to vital questions on drug driving.
"The number of offences and deaths detected so far may be only the tip of the iceberg.
“While some forces are testing hundreds of drivers, others are rationing patrols to a single test.
“These disparities cannot be explained by differences in drug driving and the danger it creates. A more consistent approach is badly needed, with all forces testing for drug driving where it is suspected.”
PACTS has called for the Department for Transport (DfT), in collaboration with the Department for Health, the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice and the National Police Chiefs’ Council undertake a review of policy on drug driving.
Specifically, PACTS has called for action relating to offenders who drive under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs.
Under the influence of both substances, drivers are likely to be more impaired than if they had consumed only one – yet there is currently not a higher penalty for this. PACTS believes that the government should introduce a new offence for driving under the influence of a combination of alcohol and drugs, with a lower blood alcohol limit.
PACTS is also recommending that the government increase drug driving enforcement in the UK where it is currently not meeting the mark and says the Home Office should review look into how the cost of blood testing can be reduced and how the efficiency of testing can be greater improved.
We at Marshall Leasing are always supported of measures to improve road safety and trust that you find this information useful. If you would like to find out more about how our team of experts can assist with your fleet requirements, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing info@marshall-leasing.co.uk or calling 01480 414541.
Back