Drug driving has the same stigma as drink driving, Wilson insists
Friday, 29 May 2009Motorists who get behind the steering wheel under the influence of drugs are dicing with people’s lives as much as drink drivers Environment Minister Sammy Wilson warned today.
During the launch of a new road safety campaign, the Minister insisted the same stigma applied to drug driving as drink driving.
The new advertising campaign seeks to raise awareness of the drug driving problem and highlight the ultimate consequences of driving under the influence of drugs.
The campaign is based on research amongst high-risk young people which revealed that they tend not to think through the lethal consequences of mixing drugs with driving.
Mr Wilson told the launch of the new advert in Belfast: “We now live in a world that has seen a ‘no drink drive culture’ evolve over the years through education and enforcement.
“Hard-hitting DOE adverts have played a huge part in this culture change and we are now trying to do the same with drug driving.
“Research shows drug driving is a significant and persistent problem throughout Northern Ireland."
The Department of the Environment’s research shows that there has been a five-fold increase in those who admit to being driven by someone who had been taking drugs. A quarter of high-risk 16-34 year olds have been in a car driven by a drug driver.
The Minister said: “Whilst the problems caused by drink drivers are well known, the battle against those who drive while unfit through drugs is really in the early stages.”
In 2008, there were 28 deaths and 121 people seriously injured as a result of drink or drug related driving. That accounted for around 17% of all road deaths and over 12% of serious injuries.
Mr Wilson said even if someone is a good driver, the consumption of drugs still impairs their judgment and driving.
He added: “Drug driving can ultimately kill you or another innocent road user. The evidence proves it.
“Drugs can affect driving in many, many ways. They result in slower reaction times, poor concentration, sleepiness or fatigue, confused thinking, distorted perception and overconfidence.
“Different drugs affect people in different ways and the effects can last for several hours or even days.
“Someone who has taken drugs might not realise they are still affected several days afterwards, so driving could be impaired without their passenger realising.
“This advert shows the stark reality of the consequences of drug driving. It portrays the desolation and despair felt by the victim as he faces up to a bleak future confined to a hospital bed.”
The Minister noted there was a perception that drug driving was difficult to detect.
He observed: “Many think it is easy to get away with it.
“But you can’t get away with a life sentence of injuries or a death sentence for you, a friend or a family member.
“So my message to all drivers is very simple: if you take drugs, don’t drive. It’s the only safe option!
“If you’re a passenger and think your driver has taken drugs, don’t get in the car.
“What steps will you take to stop a drug driver from wrecking your life?”
Notes to Editors:
1. The new road safety campaign will run from 2 June to 19 July 2009.
2. The timing of the launch of this new campaign has been chosen to coincide with the end of exams, end of term and the start of the summer/festival season.
3. PSNI are responsible for enforcing the law on drink/drug driving. Motorists suspected of impaired driving under the influence of drugs are asked to complete a roadside Field Impairment Test (FIT). The FIT test comprises five standardised systematic tests; pupil size, Romberg Test, Walk and Turn Test, one leg stand and finger to nose test.
4. Almost a quarter of all dead drivers and riders analysed in the last three years had drugs in their bodies.
5. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0003 or out of office hours contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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