Drug driving convictions rocket in West Yorkshire
Charges for drug driving in West Yorkshire are increasing by an average of 35% year on year.
Charges for drug driving in West Yorkshire are increasing by an average of 35% year on year.
That from figures obtained by Confused.com.
Some of the most common drugs recorded by Police include class A-C drugs including cannabis, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy, amphetamines and ketamine, in addition to prescription medication such as diazepam and codeine.
The rise is being put down to tougher laws which were passed in March 2015 and the introduction of roadside "drugaliser" tests was.
Inspector Joanne Field, who leads West Yorkshire Police's Roads Policing Unit said:
“Since the new legislation change in, March 2015 we now have the power to test for the presence of drugs at the roadside.
“The law has set limits for both illegal and some powerful legal drugs, makes the process of tackling those who put lives at risk by drug-driving simpler.
“Roadside testing allows for prompt detection of offences, providing officers evidence to arrest suspects, and to bring about appropriate charges.
‘‘A drug-driving conviction will result in a criminal record, a minimum 12 month driving ban, a fine of up to £5,000 and up to 6 months in prison or both. It's not worth the risk.’’