County Councillor hails drug driving TV campaign
Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for community protection, Cllr Richard Hobbs, has welcomed a £2.3million TV advertising campaign which will highlight the dangers of drug driving.
A TV advert warns drivers that Police can spot signs of drug use in drivers such as dilated pupils and erratic behaviour and anyone caught could face six months in prison and fines of up to £5000.
The campaign is aimed primarily at young male drivers aged between 17-29 years who are most likely to drive while on illegal drugs.
The Department for Transport estimates that one in five drivers or riders killed in road accidents may have an impairing drug – legal or illegal – in their system.
The Police Research Group estimate a 400% increase in drug driving over the last 15 years. Recent research by Autotrader showed that one in five 17-24 year olds admit to regularly smoking cannabis and driving, while 12% drive after taking Cocaine.
Cllr Hobbs has welcomed the increased awareness of drug driving which the campaign will generate. He said: “We have worked very hard to raise awareness of the dangers of drug use in Warwickshire, particularly among young drivers.
“However, it is unrealistic to expect no young people to use drugs so we must also work hard to minimise the dangers they pose to themselves and other people.
“There are very real punishments for drug driving and yet people are not as aware of its dangers as they are for drink driving. Hopefully this campaign will change that level of awareness and we will see less young drivers in accidents where drugs are involved.”
Cllr Hobbs also had another point on tackling the dangers of drug driving which is seldom considered. He said: “Whilst we are looking to change the habits of drivers, the onus should also be on passengers. If you are aware that the driver of the car is under the influence, do not accept a lift and encourage them not to drive. It is better to do that than end up in Accident and Emergency or worse.”
There is no equivalent to an alcohol breathalyser for British Police. Instead they use Field Impairment Tests (FITs) that show drivers’ reactions to tests such as touching the nose with the tip of the finger, standing on one leg, walking heel to toe and counting the steps out loud and closing the eyes and estimating when 30 seconds have elapsed (the Romberg Test).
Kit Leck, manager of Warwickshire Drug and Alcohol Action Team said: “I am delighted to see that a national campaign will raise awareness of this very important issue. It is something that we in Warwickshire have been looking to tackle for some time and ran a major campaign around Christmas time last year warning of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs.”