Drug driving has become a significant road safety issue in the UK, with recent data highlighting its growing impact. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) reports that drug impairment contributed to around 90 fatal road crashes annually, and in 2022 alone, 2,715 people were injured due to drivers impaired by illegal or medicinal drugs.
Types of Drug Driving
Drug driving in the UK can involve both illegal and legal substances, you may need to consult a drug driving lawyer such as Caddick Davies to clarify your position. The main types include:
Illegal Drug Driving
Operating a vehicle under the influence of illegal substances, particularly cocaine and cannabis, is a common form of drug driving. Other illegal drugs that impair driving include:
- MDMA (ecstasy): Can cause overconfidence, anxiety, and erratic behavior.
- Ketamine: May lead to hallucinations, confusion, and impaired memory.
- LSD: Distorts perception of time, movement, and surroundings.
- Methamphetamine: Results in aggressive driving and poor judgment.
Prescription Drug Driving
Drivers can be impaired by legally prescribed medications. UK law sets specific limits for nine medicinal drugs, including:
- Amphetamine (e.g., dexamphetamine)
- Clonazepam
- Diazepam
- Methadone
- Morphine and other opiate-based drugs (e.g., codeine, tramadol)
Drivers can be prosecuted if they exceed legal limits, even if the drugs are prescribed, unless they prove that they were taken as directed and did not cause impairment.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drug Driving
Some OTC medications, such as antihistamines, may impair driving by causing drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision.
Poly-Drug Driving
This involves combining multiple substances, which amplifies impairment. For instance, mixing alcohol and drugs often leads to more severe impairment than either substance alone.
Residual Drug Driving
Driving while still affected by drugs consumed earlier, even if immediate effects have worn off, also poses risks. Cannabis, for example, can be detected long after use and still affect driving ability.
Impact of Cannabis on Driving
Cannabis significantly impairs driving performance, affecting reaction times, judgment of distance, and coordination. Key effects include:
- Slower reaction times and impaired lateral control.
- Increased weaving within lanes and difficulty maintaining following distances.
- Impairment lasting up to four hours after use, though regular users may experience impairment even when not acutely intoxicated.
- Combining cannabis with alcohol exacerbates these effects, leading to more dangerous driving.
Cocaine-Induced Risky Driving Behaviors
Cocaine use results in overconfidence, leading to dangerous decision-making, including speeding, aggressive overtaking, and running red lights. Additional risks include:
- Decreased concentration and slower reaction times.
- Increased likelihood of risky behaviors, such as lane weaving and speeding.
- Fatigue and impaired concentration during the “comedown” period, which can last up to 24 hours after use.
These behaviors greatly increase the risk of serious or fatal accidents.
UK Drug Driving Laws Overview
The UK enforces strict laws to combat drug driving. Key points include:
- Zero-tolerance limits for eight illegal drugs and risk-based limits for eight prescription drugs.
- Roadside tests for cannabis and cocaine using “DrugWipe” kits.
- Penalties include a minimum 12-month driving ban, unlimited fines, up to six months in prison, and a criminal record.
- Causing death by dangerous driving while under the influence of drugs can result in life imprisonment.
Drivers taking prescribed medications can use a medical defense, provided the drugs were taken as directed and did not cause impairment.
UK Drug Driving Trends
Drug driving has been on the rise in the UK. Convictions for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol increased by 40% between 2014 and 2022. In 2022:
- Drugs were detected in 19% of all deceased drivers and 30% of those for which toxicology information was available.
- The number of deceased drivers with drugs detected increased by over 70% between 2014 and 2022.
- Drug-impaired driving resulted in 2,715 injuries, 97 fatalities, and 926 serious injuries.
In a six-week enforcement operation from November 2022 to January 2023, 53.6% of the roadside drug wipes conducted returned positive results.
Facing Drug Driving Charges
If caught drug driving in the UK, here’s what typically happens:
- Roadside Testing: Police may conduct a field impairment test or use a roadside drug testing kit. A positive result or suspicion of impairment leads to arrest.
- Police Station Testing: A blood or urine sample will be taken for analysis, and legal representation is available.
- Medical Defense: If prescribed drugs were involved, present evidence of your prescription to the police and your lawyer.
- Court Appearance: You may face penalties including a driving ban, fine, or imprisonment depending on the severity of the charge.
- Long-term Implications: A conviction can impact insurance costs and employment prospects, particularly in driving-related jobs.
Conclusion
Drug driving is a growing concern in the UK, with rising fatalities and injuries linked to impaired drivers. While enforcement efforts have intensified, the risks posed by illegal substances, prescription medications, and over-the-counter drugs require continued focus on education, prevention, and law enforcement to ensure road safety.