Drug Driving - Do No Do It! - Staffordshire Smart Alert

Drug Driving - Do No Do It!

Good Morning,

Drug driving is illegal and carries serious penalties. Here are the key points:

Legal and illegal drugs: It's illegal to drive if you're unfit due to drugs, whether they're prescription medications or illegal substances. You can also be prosecuted if you exceed specified limits for certain drugs in your blood, even if they haven't impaired your driving.

Roadside tests: Police can conduct a roadside drug test or a field impairment assessment if they suspect you're under the influence.

Penalties: Convictions can lead to a minimum 1-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, up to 6 months in prison, and a criminal record. If drug driving results in death, the maximum penalty is life imprisonment.

Prescription drugs: If you're taking prescribed medication, you can drive as long as you follow medical advice and your driving isn't impaired.

Dangers of Drug Driving:

Using drugs while driving poses serious risks to both the driver and others on the road. Drugs can impair reaction times, coordination, and judgment, making it difficult to respond to hazards effectively. For example, cannabis can slow reaction times and reduce awareness, while stimulants like cocaine can lead to reckless and aggressive driving. Prescription drugs, such as opioids or benzodiazepines, can cause drowsiness and dizziness, further impairing driving ability.

Drugged driving increases the likelihood of accidents, injuries, and fatalities. In Great Britain alone, drug impairment contributed to around 90 fatal road crashes annually. Combining drugs with alcohol amplifies these effects, making driving even more dangerous.

It's crucial to understand the risks and avoid driving under the influence of any substance.

Get Help:

Staffordshire offers several services to help individuals dealing with drug-related issues:

STaRS (Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System): Provides treatment and recovery services for adults and young people. They offer confidential and free support tailored to individual needs.

Inclusion: Located at St George's Hospital in Stafford, they provide evidence-based substance misuse and mental health services.

Addiction Dependency Solutions: Based in Stafford, they offer support for those struggling with addiction.

Better Way Recovery: A peer-led program offering group and one-on-one therapy for those in recovery.

These organisations can provide guidance, therapy, and support to help you or someone you know make positive changes.

Links:

Staffordshire Connects | STaRS (Staffordshire Treatment and Recovery System

Homepage - Staff Stars

Best wishes,

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Message Sent By
James Skitt
(Staffordshire Police, PCSO, Tamworth)