Rospa calls for better drugs testing for drivers

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (Rospa) has called on politicians to discuss ways to better test for drug driving.

Figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers today (January 20th) showed over 7,000 people were arrested over a month-long period that included Christmas and New Year for being intoxicated at the wheel.

The problem was most widespread among young drivers, with the rate of offending reaching 5.7 per cent compared with four per cent among those above the age of 25.

Head of Road Safety at Rospa Kevin Clinton said the statistics are "extremely disappointing but sadly not surprising".

The expert called on the Department of Transport's expert panel to look into ways to curb drug driving, with the new data showing nearly 17 per cent of those tested for illegal substances were arrested.

Deputy Chief Constable Suzette Davenport, Lead for Roads Policing at ACPO, added that a fate much worse than being put in handcuffs could face people who do not heed warnings about driving under the influence.

"It can kill - and that's a life sentence no-one would want to live with," she stated.

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