UK announces drug-driving limits

The UK government is one step closer to introducing drug-driving limits, which are due to come into effect there later this year and could provide a model for other countries including Australia.

The move is a signal that UK law-makers acknowledge its population uses drugs -- some legal, others not -- before driving.

Similar in effect to drink-driving laws, which limit the amount of alcohol drivers are permitted in their blood, the new laws cover blood-content limits for 16 different drugs.

The new system that will come into force in the UK recommends different limits for various drugs on a micrograms-per-litre basis, or µg/L, allowing drivers to have small amounts of illegal drugs in their bodies, including cocaine, cannabis, MDMA and LSD.

The new regulations will be law by the Northern autumn, according to the UK government's Road Safety Minister, Robert Goodwill, who said the new laws will send "the strongest possible message that you cannot take illegal drugs and drive".

Users of the hallucinogenic drug Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, or LSD, will only be permitted trace amounts of the substance in their body, or 1 microgram per litre, followed by cannabis, or marijuana, at 2 µg/L.

Cocaine users who have less than 10 µg/L of the drug in their body will be free to drive, while up to 20 micrograms of ketamine per litre is permitted.

By acknowledging the use of illicit drugs by motorists, the UK government is not providing tacit approval of the black market substances, it asserts.

In a press statement released by the UK government, it contends: "The limits to be included in the new regulations are not set at 0 as drugs taken for medical conditions can be absorbed in the body to produce trace effects.”

"It is also important to recognise that different drugs are broken down at different speeds and that is reflected in the disparities between the limits.”

At the same time, it says putting limits on legal prescription drugs for drivers will improve the safety of all motorists in the UK.

Users of popular prescription sleeping pills such as temazepam will need to be wary, as drivers found with more than 1000 micrograms per litre of in their body will investigated. Up to 80 µg/L of morphine, another legally prescribed drug, can be detected before police action is taken.

"This new offence will make our roads safer for everyone by making it easier for the police to tackle those who drive after taking illegal drugs. It will also clarify the limits for those who take medication," said minister Goodwill.

Minister Goodwill noted the new proposed limits will be taken to the Parliament before they are enforced later this year.

The full list of allowable drug limits for UK drivers is as follows.

Legal/prescription drugs:
Clonazepam -- 50 µg/L
Diazepam -- 550 µg/L
Flunitrazepam -- 300 µg/L
Lorazepam -- 100 µg/L
Methadone -- 500 µg/L
Morphine -- 80 µg/L
Oxazepam -- 300 µg/L
Temazepam -- 1000 µg/L

Illegal drugs:
Benzoylecgonine -- 50 µg/L
Cocaine -- 10 µg/L
Delta–9–Tetrahydrocannabinol (Cannabis and Cannabinol) -- 2 µg/L
Ketamine -- 20 µg/L
Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) -- 1 µg/L
Methylamphetamine -- 10 µg/L
Methylenedioxymethaphetamine (MDMA – Ecstasy) -- 10 µg/L
6-Monoacetylmorphine (6-MAM – Heroin and Morphine) -- 5 µg/L

In Australia it is illegal to drive with an illicit drug such as cannabis, ecstasy, ice or speed in your system. It is also illegal to drive while impaired by any drug -- legal or illegal -- although defences may apply for prescription drugs. Drug driving offences are not limited to public roads and can be committed on private property.

It is also an offence to refuse to provide a saliva sample or stop at a roadside Random Drug Test station, be affected by drugs while accompanying a learner driver, refuse to undergo an assessment for drug impairment or to provide blood/urine samples when requested.

Image: TAC - Drive on drugs, out of your mind campaign