“Drug-driving reoffending rates dwarf those of drink-driving, which suggests current penalties aren’t effective in preventing some drug drivers from repeating their crimes and putting everyone at risk,” said Dennis.
“Introducing a national drug-driving rehabilitation scheme – similar to what is in place for drink driving – could also help drive down reoffending. Other countries such as Australia already routinely use roadside saliva testing of suspected drug-drivers, and we urgently need a similar system in the UK.”
Currently, the penalty for drug driving is a minimum 12-month driving ban (36 months if convicted twice or more within three years), an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison – identical to that of drink-driving.
Earlier this year, the Government announced its new Road Safety Strategy, in which it promised reviews on sentencing for drink and drug driving, plus a consultation on the usage of alcohol interlocks to prevent drink-drive reoffending.
The Department for Transport said it plans to introduce “strong new powers to suspend driving licences for drug drivers, new roadside tests and tougher, swifter consequences when we catch them”.
“For too long, our enforcement system has struggled to keep pace with the scale of this problem.But those who do drugs and get behind the wheel will no longer go unpunished,” said a Government spokesperson.
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