Scandal of the ‘drug drivers’ (From York Press)

Scandal of the ‘drug drivers’

10:17am Tuesday 27th May 2008 in

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TWENTY drug users have been caught driving "stoned" on North Yorkshire's roads in the last two months.

North Yorkshire Police say that since the launch of Operation Anvil, the force's road safety campaign, on March 18, 20 people - 17 men and three women - have been arrested for being in charge of a vehicle while unfit to drive due to drugs.

Officers are highlighting the risks run by drug-drivers. They say the impact can be as devastating as drink-driving and the penalties are the same, with offenders facing a minimum one-year driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000 and up to six months in prison.

Inspector Dave Brown, North Yorkshire Police's new head of strategic roads policing, said: "Driving under the influence of drugs - whether illegal substances or prescribed medication - is just as dangerous as driving under the influence of alcohol. It is also illegal.

"Drugs can affect your mind and body in a variety of ways that mean you aren't able to drive safely. Not only that, the effects can last for hours or even days."

Just a week ago at York Crown Court, 23-year-old Suleman Majeed was jailed for 18 months for causing a serious head-on crash while under the influence of cannabis and diazepam.

The collision, on the A63 near Hemingbrough, Selby, on May 31 last year, caused a severe collar-bone injury to the female driver of the other car.

The defendant, from Manchester, pleaded guilty to driving while under the influence of drugs, dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and without insurance.

As well as being jailed, he was also banned from driving for six years and ordered to take an extended driving test before driving without a supervisor again.

The consequences of taking drugs and driving include:

* Slower reaction times* Poor concentration* Sleepiness and fatigue* Confused thinking* Distorted perception* Over-confidence, which can lead to taking unnecessary risks* Impaired co-ordination* Erratic behaviour* Nausea* Hallucinations* Blurred vision* Aggression* Panic attacks and paranoia* Tremors* Dizziness* Cramps.

Inspector Brown said: "Police officers are well aware of these effects and will not hesitate to make an arrest if clear signs are present that a person is unfit to drive."

"We also use field impairment testing as a way of assessing a person's ability to drive safely. These include walking in a straight line and touching the tip of their nose with a finger."

A website - www.dft.gov.uk/think/dontdrugdrive/ - has been set up to give 17 to 35-year-olds information on how different drugs can impair their driving.