Road safety charity IAM RoadSmart is calling on the government to adopt a policy of making rehabilitation courses compulsory for all drink and drug driving offenders.
The charity is urging ministers to press ahead with the approach “as soon as possible” rather than waiting for a “call for evidence on the introduction of drug driving courses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is considering the courses as part of a new high-risk offenders scheme for such offences as the department attempts to “modernise its approach” to the issue.
IAM RoadSmart’s director of policy and research, Neil Grieg, said: “The need to cut reoffending is paramount to ensure the safety of all road users.
“The consultation information clearly demonstrates that driver intervention courses deliver real benefits in the form of reduced reoffending. This is well proven for the Drink Drive Rehabilitation Course, but also for Speed Awareness Courses. IAM RoadSmart are in no doubt that a bespoke drug-driving course will have the same impact.”
The call for evidence has been seeking views on the creation of a rehabilitation course for drug drivers – similar to the one already available for drink drivers – in a bid to help them “tackle their issues”.
Baroness Vere of Norbiton, writing the foreword to the consultation, said: “These rehabilitation measures work. Non-attendees to the drink-driving courses were over twice as likely to commit a new drink-driving offence within three years. By offering high-risk drug-driving offenders the same support, we can hopefully reduce the appalling statistic which sees 44 per cent of drug-driving offences committed by a reoffender.
“Parity in support should also be matched with parity in consequences. Currently, a high-risk offender for drink-driving must reapply for a new licence after their period of disqualification has ended. If we are to keep dangerous drivers off our streets then the same, I believe, should apply for high-risk offenders for drug driving.”
Courses for drink and drug driving, provide the first opportunity for those convicted to “face up to the impact of their offending and receive positive counselling support in relation to their driving,” said Mr Greig.
“The course assists them in taking responsibility for their actions to allow them to put plans into place to change their behaviour before they get their driving licence back.
“We share the concerns of other course providers that alcohol and illegal drug offenders are different and feels strongly that a ‘drug-driver only’ course should be developed and not to mix the two offender groups together in any way.
“Whilst there might be some similarities between drink driving and drug driving, we are not convinced that mixing two different types of offenders together in the same room is the best way forward.
“IAM RoadSmart strongly believe that rehabilitation courses should be compulsory for all offenders convicted of drink or drug driving offences.
“The current system where offenders must choose to ‘opt in’ for a course on the day of their court appearance is unfair and unnecessarily stressful.
“Everyone caught ‘under the influence’ should expect a course as well as a fine and a ban. This approach should be adopted as soon as possible and not wait for the Government’s decision on new drug-drive courses.”
The proposed scheme for high-risk offenders would also require medical clearance before drug-drivers could once again get behind the wheel.
The consultation’s results will be released in the next few months, and IAM RoadSmart said it wants to be “closely involved in the development of a new drug-drive course”.
The charity already offers driver risk management to businesses and is one of the largest providers of Drink Drive Rehabilitation Courses in England and Wales.
In order to ensure that the current legal framework “remains robust”, the DfT is also examining the scope for changing how blood samples are taken as well as examining any correlation between medical cannabis and road safety issues.
The DfT’s call for evidence is the first step of several this year to reduce the rising problem of drink and drug driving, with further consultations slated on other aspects of the Road Traffic Acts including criminal use of vehicles and failing to stop after a collision.
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
