Fleets back Government initiative

Fleets have overwhelmingly backed the Government’s desire to introduce a new offence of drug driving, with 86.3% voting in favour of the move in a fleetnews.co.uk poll, while the subject has been debated online in the Fleet News Forum and on LinkedIn at UK Fleet Managers.

On the poll, one respondent said: “This growing issue needs to be tackled head on. The police and the courts need to be given the powers to convict these impaired drivers.”

Another said it would help companies and drivers become “more aware of the total risks of driving whilst under the influence for whatever reason, whether drugs, drink and tiredness”.

Samantha Downing on LinkedIn said: “I think it is an excellent idea and non-prescription drugs should also be zero tolerance.”

But another contributor urged caution saying that the decision “needs to be based on scientific research proving how driving skills are affected, which will be different for each drug, and also apply to pharmaceuticals”.

Trying to establish a legal limit for drug driving was also raised, with one respondent saying “allowing drivers a limit, as opposed to a zero tolerance, sends out the wrong signal and confusion over the units system.

“You combine that with the morning after affect and it's no wonder we have a 12% increase in drinking and driving arrests in 2012.”