A recent report published by the British Medical Journal has shown that drivers who smoke cannabis within three hours of getting behind the wheel double the risk of a serious crash.
In the UK, 18% of people killed in road crashes have traces of illegal drugs in their blood, with cannabis the most common. In a recent survey by Brake and Direct Line one in nine young drivers (11%) admitted driving on illegal drugs.
Currently, there is no law against driving with illegal drugs in your body, meaning police have to prove impairment. This makes it difficult for the police to test and prosecute drivers who risk lives by drug driving and means low conviction rates compared to drink driving.
Road Safety Minister Mike Penning has confirmed the government intends to introduce a new drug-driving offence. He recently announced a panel of experts will advise on the technicalities of introducing the new offence, including whether it is possible to set limits equivalent to the drink drive limit. The government is also in the process of introducing drug screening devices into police stations.
Brake is urging the government to move swiftly to create a law with a zero tolerance approach, making it illegal to drive on any amount of illegal drugs. Evidence shows a range of illegal drugs affect the skills, coordination and judgement required for driving, so it is fair to assume that drivers with these drugs in their system are impaired.
Brake is also urging the government to push through type approval for roadside drug screening devices, similar to alcohol breathalysers, enabling widespread enforcement checks and a significant deterrent.
The Lord Advocate is to refer five cases to the UK Supreme Court for a further ruling as to the scope of the Cadder v HMA decision which was handed down by last October by the Supreme Court. Contact expert criminal defence solicitors in Edinburgh on 0131 557 9151.
New clauses have been added to the latest draft of the Scotland Bill which may permit Scottish criminal appeals to be heard in the UK Supreme Court. Contact 0131 557 9151 for a free initial criminal law consultation.
New figures show that there has been a significant increase in recent years in the number of women in Scottish prisons. Contact McSporrans criminal lawyers for a free initial consultation on 0131 557 9151.
Drink driving case clarifies the scope of Cadder. Contact 0131 557 9151 for a free initial criminal law consultation.
On 22 March 2011, the Double Jeopardy (Scotland) Bill passed its third and final stage through the Scottish Parliament. Contact McSporrans criminal lawyers for a free initial consultation on 0131 557 9151.
A new partnership has been set up to try to prevent crimes against animals in Fife in Scotland. Contact McSporrans today on 0131 225 8813 for free initial advice.
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