Special Feature: Drug Driving

SCOTS WARNED ABOUT
DRUG DRIVING CONVICTIONS

In recent years, high profile anti-drink drive campaigns have raised awareness across Scotland about the dangers of drink-driving. But worryingly, a minority of Scots drivers still underestimate the risks associated with taking drugs and driving.

But this belief is not only false but dangerous, according to Michael McDonnell, Director at Road Safety Scotland: ‘There’s a mistaken belief among drug users that their driving is not affected by the drugs they’ve taken. But drugs obviously affect your senses, your perception and your mood so it follows that they will affect your driving’.

Cannabis the most common drug
The most common drug that drivers report taking before driving is cannabis. Cannabis is a relaxant and inhibits the driver’s ability to react in pressurised situations. Negative impacts on driving include slower reaction times, distorted perception and poor concentration.

The effects of other drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine and speed include over-confidence and increased risk taking, blurred vision and loss of coordination.

Many drivers who drive under the influence of drugs believe there’s no chance of getting caught and that, if caught, drug-driving is seen as a lesser offence than drink-driving.

The reality is that the penalties are exactly the same, and drivers convicted of being unfit to drive through drugs face a minimum one year driving ban, as well as a fine of up to £5,000, and up to six months in jail.

A FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE
David, a 27 year-old from Dundee, has first hand experience of the impact being caught drug-driving can have on your life: ‘A few years ago, I was convicted of driving under the influence of drugs. I’d been at a mate’s house playing Playstation and we’d had a few spliffs. I was planning on driving home and literally thought nothing of it; I did it all the time. I suppose I knew it wasn’t exactly legal but I really didn’t think it affected my driving and definitely didn’t consider it as serious as drink driving’.

After David left his friends house, he got in his car to drive the short distance home, but was pulled over by police after doing 39mph in a 30mph zone. The police carried out what is known as a preliminary impairment test and charged him with driving under the influence. David was convicted, fined and lost his licence for a year, but the consequences just started there:

‘It was a nightmare. I couldn’t drive to work and had to get the bus instead, increasing my commute from 40 minutes to over two hours. Because I’d only had my licence for a year and a half, I had to sit my test all over again. Now my insurance premium is massive but I’ve got no choice – I have to drive for work. I certainly won’t be risking that again’.

According to research
Drug-drivers don’t think their driving is affected by their drug use and don’t think they’ll get caught.

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