Drug Driving - Don't Discover the Facts by Accident

It is an offence to drive whilst your behaviour is impaired through the use of drugs, in the same way that it is illegal to drink drive. Both illegal drugs and medicinal drugs can affect your judgement, concentration and vision which make driving extremely dangerous.

Police officers are easily able to spot the signs of a person under the influence of a substance, and can request a driver to take a Field Impairment Test. This goes beyond the "breath test" and looks for physical signs of being under the influence. This can include appearance, such as the effect drugs have on your eyes, and your ability to walk in a straight line and balance.

If you are pulled over and identified as having driven under the effect of illegal drugs, the consequences can be severe. Penalties can include those as for drink driving - a minimum 12-month driving ban, a criminal record and a fine of up to £5000. They can also include:

• A record on your driving licence for 11 years, detailing a conviction for drug driving. Insurance costs could increase significantly
• If you drive for work, your employer will see the conviction when requesting to view your licence.
• If you are convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, you will receive a prison sentence of up to 14 years.

Driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous and can affect driving in many ways. Find out vital information on the myths of drug driving, the effects of drugs on the body and how the law stands by visiting the Department for Transport website below:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/dontdrugdrive/