Drivers taking drugs are causing danger on the roads of Guildford as drug related motoring offences are on the increase and causing danger and potential deaths - statistics just out reveal.
 
The latest report details figures for April to September for three consecutive years (2005/6 and 7) show that there was only one arrest for driving under the influence of drugs in 2005 and the same figure for 2006.  But in 2007 the number has quadrupled with four arrests being made during between April and September.*

All arrests were made during the evening and all offenders were male aged between 20 and 50 who reside and work in the local area of Surrey.

Charlie Kendal, Controlled Drug & Chemical Liaison Officer – West Surrey Police said: “At the end of the day both the substance of alcohol or drugs cause drowsiness and any driver suffering from these effects will be putting their lives and those of many others at risk.  People should remember that they could still be under the influence of these substances the following morning.”

Illegal and prescribed drugs can seriously affect a driver’s judgement, co-ordination, control of the vehicle, lead to severe fatigue and seriously reduce someone’s driving performance. 

Whilst the dangers of drink driving are fairly well known, people are less aware of the risks of driving when impaired through drugs.

Charlie Kendal added: “We come across comments and myths saying that they think taking cannabis makes them a more relaxed driver.  But this is simply not the case.”

The Safer Guildford Partnership offers five sure steps to help make your journey a safe one:

· THINK!
· Don’t mix drink or drugs with driving
· Check your prescription – if it advises you not to drive – don’t
· Don’t try to push yourself beyond your limits – if you feel tired, pull over, stop and rest
· Try to avoid driving after a big lunch, or between midnight and 6am as these are critical   times when you are most vulnerable to falling asleep at the wheel.

Also many people on prescribed medication fail to check the label to see assess whether it is safe for them to drive.

Compared with 10 years ago, five times as many people killed in road accidents were found to have a trace of an illegal drug in their body.**

Fatigue, which can be induced or aggravated by taking drugs is now recognised as one of the biggest hidden problems of driving accidents.  Tiredness really does kill and may be a major cause of up to 10% of all accidents.

The dangers of drink driving continues to be a problem on the roads of Guildford with 343 arrests for drink driving offences made over the last three years, although the figures have decreased year on year.

To find out more go to www.drugdrive.co.uk - the first government campaign to raise awareness of the impairment effects of drugs when driving.

ENDS