Drug-driving campaign is launched

by Babel-Fish | August 17, 2009 at 02:08 am

563 views | 30 Recommendations | 14 comments

An advertising campaign warning of the risks of driving after taking drugs is being launched in England and Wales.

A TV ad will warn motorists that police can spot signs someone is under the influence of drugs if they are stopped.

The Department for Transport says that one in 10 young male drivers admits drug driving and education is crucial.

Road safety charity Brake has welcomed the £2.3m campaign but says it is more important for ministers to approve a breathalyser-style drug-testing device.

Anyone caught drug-driving faces up to six months in prison and a £5,000 fine.

The campaign is led by a television advert which warns drivers that police can spot involuntary signs of drug use such as severely dilated or constricted pupils.

It shows a car-full of young people with their eyes enlarged, adding: "Your eyes will give you away."

Why has this not been done before?

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Babel-Fish

at 02:13 on August 17th, 2009

I could not resist linking the German comic video....

albertacowpoke

at 02:44 on August 17th, 2009

Love that video Babel, especially the one where you take all ten drugs together.

Babel-Fish

at 06:19 on August 17th, 2009

Though doing drugs and driving should be taken seriously, my love for humor was fulfilled by the video as well, lol

Beaulieu

at 04:49 on August 17th, 2009

I will look on the video later as there no sound on my computer:-(

I see that a tiny six month ban is being 'promoted'. How many offenders have ever been charged with a £5,000 fine? Can anyone find a case in 2009?

I wonder if the video says they will guarantee that their car will be crushed (I love that word) if they have been caught.

When they get caught, will the police hand back their keys?

Education is the key, but we need tougher punishments, as they just go out and do it again and again.

Will there be an advertising campaign on the roads, not everyone watches TV?

It is a step in the right direction. Let's all the paperwork doesn't get lost or found in some skip:-)

Babel-Fish

at 06:17 on August 17th, 2009

The real question is does the drug Tamiflu dilated or constricted pupils.that will mean the government will get a double whammy out of its pandemic scam, lol

There should be an advert released "Don't drug and drive".lol. But in all seriousness its a good move and its about time the police had such powers of arrest.

I don't know the answers to your questions as its a new thing, but I am sure most of your questions will be answered in the near future. Lets see what happens.

Beaulieu

at 10:56 on August 17th, 2009

Yes, this does make a very good Tamiflu and Relenza video.

jazzyzazzy

at 05:11 on August 17th, 2009

A step in the right direction.

Lu Galasso

at 06:22 on August 17th, 2009

I think this is definitely a step in the right direction. I hate when people think it is okay to drive "high". You are still impaired. Your vision is off. You are still intoxicated. It's just as dangerous to drive when you are overtired because you are not paying proper attention to the road. We need to get some of those ads in North America

Lu Galasso

Colonel Boyle

at 07:54 on August 17th, 2009

Was listening to a guy on Radio 4 this morning who pointed out that there isn't actually a proper drug driving test that is equivalent to the drink driving one. There's a certain limit set for drink driving (so many milligrams of alcohol per Whatever in your bloodstream) but no similar thing exists for drugs - which is a potential loophole in the whole thing. After all: if you're only get tested on the basis off your eyes being a bit unfocussed then loads of stuff will just sail under the radar. On the other hand, if they test you and find that you've got cannabis in your bloodstream from 3 days ago, that would hardly make you unfit to drive, surely?

bettermaker (not verified)

at 08:08 on August 17th, 2009

remember people, more accidents are due to PRESCRIPTION drugs, than illegal drugs!

why aren't they showing pictures of pills? i'd rather have a driver on weed than vicodin.

Beaulieu

at 10:55 on August 17th, 2009

That's a very good point Bettermaker, any stats on this?

I think one of the reasons is because 'in order to get votes' they go for 'the nasty illegal drug' rather than prescription. And the mainstream media ignore it because 'it doesn't get the ratings'.

Some people don't want to tell the DVLA they are on prescription drugs as they may have to stop driving so they can carry on although I had thought that the pharmacy or doctor 'grasses' on them. Can anyone shed any light on this?

I prefer the German video, looks more apt. Lots of vomit and daffy motorist looking gormless:-)

As a cyclist, I always have to make eye contact with motorists, but generally I can hear a druggie coming by their speed a mile away, with a crowd of people inside and the car weaving about, so I try to nip into a ditch, if I can.

Just to ask another 'awkward question', how can the police see the motorist eye's in the dark?

bettermaker (not verified)

at 13:49 on August 17th, 2009

I've seen "stats" on www.naturalnews.com saying that more accidents are due to prescription drugs than illegal drugs. This might even grow as the baby-boom generation gets older and takes more pills.

anon1111 (not verified)

at 07:56 on October 13th, 2009

Just a quick point, how can you say that a DRUGGIE as you put it, drives fast? there is that stereotype thing again ( it must be someone on drugs as he's braking the law- speeding ) so most of the people who speed are on drugs???? never heard such c***. And yes if your drug councilor/worker knows your driving and she/he is prescribing you methadone they are under obligation to let the dvla know.

Beaulieu

at 11:09 on August 17th, 2009

So a drug campaign launched and today, a celebrity Kerry Katona bites the dust. Hit them in their pocket. Good to see Iceland not put up with this.

Will football teams etc follow suit?

"Kerry Katona has been dropped as the face of supermarket chain Iceland following allegations that she took cocaine.

The News Of The World published photographs and video footage of the 28-year-old mother allegedly showing her snorting the class A drug in her home in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Iceland said that while the company had stood by her during earlier personal difficulties, it was now "impossible" for her to continue in its advertising campaigns".