Fuel Card News Motoring Updates: “Drugalysers” to be introduced

Last month it was announced drivers found under the influence of drugs, prescribed or otherwise, could face prosecution.

The new offence will be officially announced in the Queen’s speech tomorrow along with the introduction of “drugalysers” to help enforce the new law.

Previously, police were required to prove a motorist’s driving was impaired for a prosecution to succeed, but with the new drug detection devices, officers will simply take a saliva sample and motorists who fail will be taken to a police station and screened by a second calibrated machine.

They will be designed to screen for up to 13 drugs including the most commonly abused narcotics and some prescriptions drugs.

Motorists found guilty of drug driving will face tougher sentences than before with a driving ban for at least a year and a jail term of up to six months. They could also receive fines of up to £5,000.

Research undertaken by the Transport Research Laboratory estimates drugs have been a key factor in nearly a quarter of fatal road accidents.

Ministers are hoping the new law will target the anomaly of drivers involved in fatal accidents receiving lighter sentences if under the influence of drugs opposed to alcohol.

The move is being hailed by the AA’s head of road safety, Andrew Howard: “This is to be welcomed because it brings closer the day when drug driving will be treated the same way as drink driving.”

In other news, the big four supermarkets are reducing petrol prices at their forecourts by two pence per litre for the second time in a matter of weeks.

Visit www.fuelcards.co.uk and see how you could save money on your next journey.