Road risk from young drug-drivers

20 December 2006

Young people drive after taking drugs
Legal or illegal drugs impair driving ability
See whatcar.com's drug-driving video on Friday

Many young people admit to taking drugs; 4% of them admit to driving afterwards

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Young drivers are putting themselves at risk by driving after taking illegal drugs, according to a survey published today.

Nearly a third of 17-24-year-olds who took part admitted that they had taken illegal drugs such as cannabis, speed or ecstasy in the past year.

The same number admitted to knowingly travelling in a car when they knew the driver had taken illegal drugs, according to the research carried out by Green Flag.

Of the 620 questioned, less that 4% admitted to driving under the influence themselves. However, almost 20% of people killed in road crashes showed traces of illegal drugs in their blood, most commonly cannabis.

Legal drugs, such as tranquillisers or anti-depressants, can be just as dangerous, because they slow reaction times and affect concentration, confidence and fatigue levels.

Philippa Naylor, spokesperson for Green Flag, said: 'There doesn't seem to be the same stigma associated with drug driving as there is with drink driving, but it's crucial that people realise just how dangerous it is. Not only could drivers lose their licence, but they risk causing an accident, injuring themselves or someone else.'

Whatcar.com is launching its own investigation into drug-driving, and our video report will be online on Friday. We've filmed interviews with a driver who takes drugs, as well as experts from the police, the Home Office, and the Transport Research Laboratory.

A website, www.drugdrive.com, aimed at 17-35-year-olds, has been set up by the Department for Transport, explaining the effects of different drugs on people's driving abilities.