More Drugs Than Drink – What Can The Industry Do To Make Roads Safer?
Current guidance on drug driving is either unavailable or woefully outdated when compared with the current degree of drug use.
This means the advice is no longer fit for purpose, so what steps can industry bodies and corporate entities take to deter employees from drug driving and ultimately reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads?
Earlier this month, D.tec International Ltd Managing Director, Ean Lewin shared his thoughts on the sharp rise of drug-related driving offences being committed on UK roads and what the industry can do to bring this problem under control.
Since the introduction of Section 5a of The Road Traffic Act back in March 2015 we have watched as annual drug drive arrest figures have surged. We are shocked as the statistics ramp up year on year to 40 to 50 times more than pre s5a, with a shocking crescendo taking place during festive periods and clamp downs.
You might think things would have slowed down this year given the fact we are in the middle of a third national lockdown. Sadly, this is not the case, it appears those choosing to drive are taking even more risks that ever before. Essex saw 2 ½ to 3 times more drug arrests then drink offences during the first lockdown.
In 2019 Merseyside police arrested over 2000 drivers on drug driving offences, which is significant. Terrifyingly, over 50% of those arrested were at work, driving, or drove for work in some way.
The defacto body for reference across Europe, the ECMDDA reports that the UK is the highest consumer of illegal drugs in Europe.
D.tec recommend directors and managers work to a four-part framework to make a real effective change and ensure buy in across their business
- Policy: Develop a policy that is fair and unambiguous. Setting clear expectations e.g Zero Tolerance.
- Educate: Seek to educate your team on the effect of illegal drugs on themselves, their colleagues and the public.
- Deter: Position reminders in break out spaces and importantly work to a random screening procedure.
- Detect: This should always be the final piece of the puzzle. When all other steps have been followed, businesses should screen for Drugs and Alcohol, using a kit that is non-intrusive and respectful of employee dignity. If the detection levels are too high, e.g. 1 to 5 employees test positive then it should direct the focus of the employer to do more work on the first 3 parts of the framework.
