A survey carried out by More Than Car Insurance has revealed that British drivers are among the worst drug-driving offenders in Europe, with young drivers being the most likely to get behind the wheel while under the influence.
At present, an effective roadside drug screening system is not in place in the UK, and the survey revealed that 10% of those that drive after taking drugs do it because they believe that they can get away with it. One third revealed that they would be put off if the police were more likely to check, while a further 13% said that they would be deterred if the punishment was more severe.
As it stands, the charge for drug-driving is the same as drink-driving. Offenders risk a hefty fine, a driving ban and even a prison sentence, not to mention the substantial impact such a conviction can have on your young driver car insurance rate.
It appears that The Home Office are devising a specification for roadside drug screening that will help the police better identify offenders and avoid further injuries and fatalities. These drug checks have already been a great success in countries such as Sweden, Belgium, Germany and Australia.
More Than, the motor insurance providers, are urging the government to get these tests, which use body fluids to check for drugs, in practice as soon as possible.
A representative from Hoot Car Insurance Services comments: 'The fact that drug-driving is increasing so dramatically in the UK is terrible news. It means that our roads are becoming more hazardous and young driver car insurance premiums are in great danger of rising.
'We provide cheap car insurance to drivers aged 18-35, living in the UK, but the more that young motorists abuse this privilege by driving illegally, the more likely it is that low cost young car insurance rates will become a thing of the past.'