News article
Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership focusses on drug drivers as numbers increase
Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership is taking part in a national NPCC campaign to highlight the dangers and consequences of drug driving to help make our roads safer for all road users.
Drug driving is increasing in Warwickshire reflecting the national picture and as well as raising awareness of the issue, police will be targeting those drivers suspected of drug driving.
In Warwickshire in 2019, there were 21 (10 in 2018) road traffic collisions where illegal or medicinal drugs, were cited as a causation factor and 2 fatalities (2 in 2018) showing a 100% increase in the number of collisions where drugs are involved.
In Warwickshire, the number of arrests for drug driving is also on the increase. Between April and September 2020, 68 drivers were arrested for drug driving compared to the same period in 2019 when there were 59 arrests.
Nationally the figures are even more stark, showing a strong upward trend in drug driving both in terms of collisions and convictions in all age groups but particularly the under 25 and 30-39 age groups in men and 30-39 age group in women.
Compass provides support for young people up to 25 years old and CGL for adults, both services receive funding from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.
Officers who stop a drug driver may also be disrupting other criminality as research by Safer Essex Road Partnership has found links between drug drivers and other offences from not wearing a seatbelt and speeding to violent crime and drug offences.
The effects of drug driving are far-reaching as ‘Driving for Better Business’ discovered in a study of over 500 UK employees who drive for work. 1 in 5 (20%) drove immediately after taking illegal drugs. Over two thirds (67%) admit to taking illegal drugs and almost a third (30%) have driven feeling drowsy after taking over the counter medicines or sleep remedies.
That’s why it’s not just illegal drugs, Warwickshire Police will be testing drivers for. Eleven prescribed drugs are potentially illegal for driving and dangerous for working so please speak to your pharmacist to check you are safe to drive and if in doubt do not drive. This includes some painkillers and antidepressants that ‘may cause drowsiness’. It is your responsibility to check whether your medication can affect your driving. If in doubt do not drive.
Compass is our Young Peoples service – up to 25 years old
Compass is the children and young people’s drug and alcohol service in Warwickshire. Compass is available for children and young people to talk to for support. Compass can be contacted by Freephone 0800 0887248 email compasswarwickshire@compass-uk.orgText (Chathealth): 07507 331525 Opening hours Mon-Thurs 9-5 Fri 9-4.30
CGL is for adults 18 years old and above
CGL Warwickshire believe that everyone has the ability to change. Anyone can be affected by drug and /or alcohol use regardless of their ethnicity, religion, beliefs, class, age, sexuality, disability or lifestyle.
To contact CGL Tel 01926 353513 Email Warwickshire.info@cgl.org.uk Facebook @ChangeGrowLiveWarwickshire Twitter @WarwickshireCGL