New rules on driving under the effects of drugs will come into force today. This means it is now illegal to drive with certain levels of some drugs in your body (eight illegal and eight prescription drugs).
The additional rules run along side the current drug-driving law which means those found guilty can face a fine up to £5,000, up to six months in prison and a minimum one-year driving ban.
You can read more about drug driving on our specialist website.
The police will be able to use a “drugalyser” to screen for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside and futher tests can be ran at the police station to check for other illegal drugs such as ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin.
They will also be able to test for these and other drugs, including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin, at a police station, even if a driver passes the roadside check.
Illegal Drugs Limits
The eight illegal drugs included in the new law have legal limits set per litre of blood however these limits are almost at a ‘zero tolerance’ level. The illegal drugs, and their threshold limit in blood, include: –
| Illegal Drugs | Threshold Limit in Blood |
|---|---|
| benzoylecgonine | 50µg/L |
| cocaine | 10µg/L |
| cannabis | 2µg/L |
| ketamine | 20µg/L |
| lysergic acid diethylamide | 1µg/L |
| methylamphetamine | 10µg/L |
| MDMA | 10µg/L |
| heroin | 5µg/L |
| temazepam | 1,000µg/L |
Prescription Drugs Limits
The nine prescription drugs included in the new law have legal limits set per litre of blood and therefore those using them within recommended amounts will not be penalised. The prescription drugs, and their threshold limit in blood, include: –
| Prescription Drugs | Threshold Limit in Blood |
|---|---|
| amphetamine | 250µg/L |
| clonazepam | 50µg/L |
| diazepam | 550µg/L |
| flunitrazepam | 300µg/L |
| lorazepam | 100µg/L |
| methadone | 500µg/L |
| morphine | 80µg/L |
| oxazepam | 300µg/L |
| temazepam | 1,000µg/L |
Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said: “This new law will save lives. We know driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous; it devastates families and ruins lives.
“The Government’s message is clear – if you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction.”
He continued, “If you are taking your medicine as directed and your driving is not impaired, then you are not breaking the law and there is no need to worry. We advise anyone who is unsure about the effects of their medication or how the new legislation may affect them, to seek the advice of their doctor or pharmacist.”
“There will also be a medical defence if a driver has been taking medication as directed and is found to be over the limit, but not impaired. THINK! advises drivers who are taking prescribed medication at high doses to carry evidence with them, such as prescriptions slips, when driving in order to minimise any inconvenience should they be asked to take a test by the police.”
Mar, 02, 2015