New drug screening laws 'will make an enormous difference'

08/05/2012

A new law enabling traffic police to screen for drug driving without the need to prove impairment will make an "enormous difference" to cracking down on drug crime, it has been claimed.

Road safety charity Brake has wholeheartedly welcomed the proposals, which are set to be included in the crime, communications and court bill.

Police will be able to administer roadside tests using drug screening devices and offenders could be fined up to £5,000, face a 12-month driving ban or up to six months in prison.

Brake senior campaigns officer Ellen Booth described the announcement as an "incredibly important step forward".

"Creating a new offence as well as approving roadside drug screening devices by the end of 2012, will make an enormous difference to preventing drug driving crashes."

Brake has also called for ministers to go a step further by introducing a zero tolerance law making it an offence to drive on any amount of illegal drugs.