Govt launches panel to discuss drug driving laws

Date: 5/1/2012

The government is establishing a panel to discuss the introduction of a new law regarding drug driving.

Road Safety Minister Mike Penning explained a group of experts will offer advice to the Department of Transport on the "technical aspects" of making it an offence for people to get behind the wheel with drugs in their body.

"The panel will look at how such an offence could be defined as well as considering whether it is possible to set levels for the impairing effects of specific drugs," Mr Penning continued.

Earlier this week, road safety charity Brake called on the government to address current loopholes in laws regarding the matter.

This came after research conducted by the group in conjunction with Direct Line found 11 per cent of motorists aged between 17 and 25 have driven after using illegal drugs in the past year.

The government panel will consider drugs such as MDMA, cannabis and opiates, and whether the impairing effect they would have on a driver is the same as the current blood alcohol level.

Posted by Sarah Bailey