Would you stop a drug driver?

car insurance quote - We all know that driving under the influence of any substances is wrong and dangerous. If you’ve taken something that impairs your driving ability and you then get behind the wheel, you’re putting people’s lives at risk. But it’s when it’s comes to illegal drugs, it seems we are most unlikely to stand up for ourselves – and our safety.

The UK’s drug drive dilemma

Recent research from road safety charity, Brake, carried out in conjunction with Direct Line, found that the equivalent of one million UK drivers (a not-insignificant 3%) admit to driving on drugs in the last 12 months.

The study also found that over one-in-10 believe (11%) they’ve been a passenger of a drug driver and almost a third (29%) admit they wouldn’t always speak out to stop a friend from driving on drugs.

And even more alarming is the fact that one-in-20 (5%) wouldn’t speak out even if it was clear the driver was completely out of control.

So why we so reluctant to stand up to drug drivers?

car insurance quote - Would you stop a drug driver?

One possibility is that, because drug-taking is illegal, confronting a friend who has taken drugs means bringing it out in the open, and this could have wider-reaching consequences, particularly if the police end up getting involved.

And so taking a risk and keeping the drug taking under wraps might seem like the easier option – but it’s also the option that puts people’s lives most at risk, particularly as there’s no telling exactly how drug taking can affect your driving ability.

Common effects of drug driving

Illegal drugs can impair driving ability in a number of ways and, unlike the effects of some prescription drugs, can also be highly unpredictable given their unregulated and variable nature.

As with alcohol, the effect drug-taking has on the mind and body varies between individuals and can even be affected by your original state of mind when taking the drug. However, the effects can last for days, even if you’re unaware of it.

These are likely effects on your driving when taking the following common illegal drugs:

• Cannabis: Slows your reaction times, affects your coordination and concentration and makes you drowsy.
• Stimulant drugs (such as cocaine, speed and ecstasy): Distort your perceptions and make you jumpy. They can also make you over-confident or paranoid and confused.
• Opiates (such as heroin): Make you feel relaxed and sleepy, slowing reaction times and impairing coordination.

Although levels of drug driving have not been fully recorded, a study by the Transport Research Laboratory found 18% of drivers and 16% of motorcyclists killed in road crashes had traces of illegal drugs in their system, the most common being cannabis.

It’s estimated that 200 deaths a year are as a result of drug driving.

Dealing with drug driving

On March 2, 2015 a new law will land making it an offence to get the behind the wheel with drugs in your system which will remove the need to prove impairment and make it much easier for police to prosecute. In short, if you fail a drugs test, you’re in hot water regardless of whether your driving was affected or not.

Police will use roadside drug testing devices to catch drug drivers and the offence will carry a possible six-month jail term, a maximum fine of £5,000 and an automatic 12-month driving ban.

Kevin Pratt, car insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “Drug driving is just as deadly as drink driving and should be taken just as seriously as the consequences can be just as far reaching, particularly if you run into someone while under the influence.

“Even if you’re lucky enough to avoid an accident, if you’re prosecuted for drug driving the implications stretch beyond a possible fine and driving ban – at best, your car insurance premium will increase, but you could find that you’re refused insurance and you could even lose your job as a result of the criminal conviction.”

So the message is clear – just say ‘no’. Would you stop a drug driver? - car insurance quote,