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Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
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Ad bid to stop drug drivers
Scotsman, The
Tuesday 26 Jun 2001 Andrew Walker Crime Correspondent (awalker@scotsman.com) THE first television advertisement warning of the dangers of driving while under the influence of drugs is be to broadcast amid calls for a sea-change in the way society views the offence. The advert, which will cost the Scottish executive £180,000, is the latest in a serious of big-budget campaigns which have seen ministers joining forces with advertising agencies to combat a range of social problems from drink driving and smoking to domestic violence. Following the launch, Jim Orr, the director of the Scottish Drug Enforcement Agency, said drug driving had to become as unacceptable as drinking and driving. Sarah Boyack, the transport minister, added: "We need to crack down on blasé attitudes towards driving after taking cocaine or cannabis. "Too many people are willing to dice with death behind the wheel of their car. This is a positive step in raising awareness and contributing to reducing fatal and serious accidents." The advert, which has yet to be commissioned, will focus on the effects drugs can have on driving skills and will attempt to mirror the impact of hard-hitting adverts featuring the dangers of drinking and driving. It will be aimed at young people, who statistics show are the most likely people to be on the roads after taking drugs. Recent research showed almost 10 per cent of drivers under the age of 40 had driven while on drugs. It is estimated that, of the 325 people who died on Scotland’s roads last year, about 50 were drug-driving incidents where either the driver was killed while under the influence of drugs, or pedestrians or passengers died after being struck by motorists on drugs. Scottish police forces introduced 1970s-style field impairment tests on 1 June to combat the growing numbers of drivers being caught out. Twenty-four drivers have been tested and nine were found to be impaired. They have been reported to the procurator-fiscal. A further period of high-profile enforcement is planned, but ministers and police said yesterday a crucial factor to fighting the menace was effective co-operation between enforcement and education. The advert, which does not yet have a broadcast date, will be funded with £180,000 made available by the executive. The advert will be produced by the Scottish Road Safety Campaign. Mr Orr said there was an urgent need to change public attitudes towards drug driving across Britain. Crash statistics have revealed a six-fold increase in the number of incidents over recent years. He said: "Society has to be a bit more responsible so we do not have the same dreadful difficulties we once had with drinking and driving. "I want to see a societal change over attitudes towards drug driving. It won’t be easy and it will take a long time, but it can be done." Research for the Scottish executive on recreational drug use and driving found it was more prevalent among the 20 to 24 age group. Cannabis was the most frequently abused drug.
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