Subj: UK: Appeal for action over drug-drivers



Date: Wednesday, 30 september 1998



Source:    The Independent (UK)







Appeal for action over drug-drivers



The Government is being urged to tackle the

growing problem of "drug driving" through a big

education programme. Illegal drug-takers now

account for one in five of all motoring deaths in

Britain, a team of 11 medical experts

commissioned by the Automobile Association

says. 



Figures show that in 16 per cent of motoring

deaths in Britain, traces of illegal drugs were

found. In 75 per cent of those deaths, cannabis

was found in the person's bloodstream. 



But most people driving under the influence of

illegal and legal drugs do not know they are

breaking the law, the experts say today in a

discussion paper, which goes on to point out that

it costs police UKP350 to do the necessary tests to

prosecute a driver believed to be under the

influence of drugs. 



The panel wants the departments of health and

transport and the Home Office to re- examine

their policies on accidents where people are

found to have been influenced by drugs.