Drug-drivers could be required to undertake rehabilitation courses before being allowed back behind the wheel, under new plans revealed by the Government.
Drink-drive related deaths and injuries have fallen 88% between 1979 and 2015. However, there has been an increase in drug-related driving offences, with over 12,000 convicted in 2019 and 44% committed by re-offenders.
713 people were seriously injured in drug-driving collisions across the UK in 2020, up from 499 in 2016, and some Police Forces are arresting more drug drivers than drink-drivers. That’s why the Government is taking action to protect the public and make drug-driving as much of a social taboo as drink-driving.
Currently, those convicted of drug-driving are handed a driving ban, prison sentence or fine by the courts, but aren’t required to complete rehabilitation courses before resuming driving – unlike drink-drivers. In a call for evidence, Government is asking whether drug-drivers should likewise have to undergo rehabilitation, helping better protect the public.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has said:
“Drink-driving is now rightly seen as a social taboo by most of us in this country and we have worked hard to drive down drink-drive related deaths.
“But if we are to make our roads safer still, there is no room to be lax on drug-driving, which is why I have launched this call for evidence today.
“It’s only right that drug-drivers must undergo rehabilitation before getting back behind the wheel, helping protect the public from this hidden problem and stamping out drug-driving for good.”
Statistics show non-attendees to drink-driving rehabilitation courses are over twice as likely to commit a new drink-driving offence within three years, so by offering high-risk drug-driving offenders the same support, Government hopes to bring down the number of repeat offenders.Article continues below this advertisement
The call for evidence launched today will also ask whether we should bring the way specimens are taken in line with current medical practice by using vacuum blood extraction, decreasing the risk of blood borne viruses to healthcare professionals.
It will also seek views on the relationship between medicinal cannabis and road safety, in another move to ensure road safety policy keeps up to date with changing societal norms.
This is the first of several steps the Government is taking this year to reduce the problem of drink and drug driving. Later this year, Government will seek views on other drink and drug driving matters, such as failing to stop after a collision and the criminal use of vehicles.
Long overdue, but welcomed.In addition they do need custodial sentences as the default punishment along with a lengthy ban and a hefty fine.
Agree. Hit them in the place where it will hurt and they will take notice, their wallets. If the offender does not have a job, deduct the fine from their benefits.
Absolutely, mandatory prison sentence for all offenders…. just waiting for the lefties to say that wouldn’t be fair.
The people who want to decriminalise drug use and legalise it should be made to explain their views to the families of the victims of drug drivers. Utter morons.
There car, should be taken and sold as additional reason to ‘think’ before drug driving. Even if it is a friends or partners vehicle, then even more reason why their peer pressure would refuse to let a druggy drive it.
We all know that nothing will stop these low lives, for the chance of getting caught is next to zero and the courts will always give the weakest sentences as the lower the low life, the more children they drag up, and use as an excuse to avoid real punishment.
about time too, if being irresponsible enough to drink or drug drive then they need long ban and definitely a retest might make the drivers think twice
About time. If these courses help then bring it on. There will be some hard liners who won’t absorb and learn anything from the course because they don’t care and they are completely selfish. Hopefully the majority will so they won’t go on and re-offend.
You must be joking,not enough police in hampshire to capture drug driving on the Island,just watch and learn starting fri evenings,its rife.
True – with virtually zero enforcement (and zero will to enforce) this is all puff as it will make no difference. Drug drivers will carry on with impunity.
Point is, IF someone was drugged and waiving a loaded gun around or running around with a sword in public, all the Police and services would be out in force.
The danger to the public is just as real to be killed or maimed for life, when such befuddled minds drive a heavy car on narrow busy roads at careless speeds.
A test is nothing, they need to have the car taken away, as would be any other dangerous weapon if brandished irresponsibly.
Soft approach doesn’t work with such beings.
They don’t see kindness or chances as society being fair, just weak.
Hear hear to all comments
Should have a field day with all the muppets driving round freshwater, the stink from those cars and Van’s takes some believing!
Nothing wrong with a little 5 and drive
A nice thought that something is going to be done about these vile reckless people. But who exactly is going to catch them?