Changes To The Drug Driving Laws in the UK came into force on the 2nd March 2015. The aim is to make it easier for drug drivers to be caught and prosecuted by the police.
It is now an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood, just as it is with drink driving. Sixteen legal and illegal drugs are covered by the law, including cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and ketamine.
The limits for all illegal drugs are extremely low, taking even a very small amount of an illegal drug could put you over the limit.
The new offence will work alongside the existing offence of driving whilst impaired through drink or drugs.
The penalties for drug driving are the same as for drink driving. If you are convicted you will receive:
The consequences of a drug drive conviction are far reaching and can include:
It is illegal to drive if your driving is impaired by drugs or if you have certain drugs above a specified level in your blood.
If the police stop you and think you’re on drugs they will either test you at the roadside using a drug screening device or a “Field Impairment” test to assess your ability to drive.
If drugs are detected in your system or you are deemed impaired by drugs, you’ll be arrested and taken to a police station for blood or urine tests. If the tests show you’ve taken drugs or show a specified drug above the specified blood limits you could be charged with drug driving.
You don’t have to be on illegal drugs to be impaired to drive. Prescription or over the counter medicines can also impair your ability to drive. If you’re taking medicines, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional before driving. It is your own responsibility to ensure that you are not ‘impaired’ while driving.