Drug-driving crackdown by insurers

Drugs could soon replace drink as the main cause of road deaths, experts have warned.

A new survey revealed that nearly 40 per cent of young divers have driven while under the influence of drugs, with almost 57 per cent of those admitting that their driving had been impaired.

Almost one in five confessed to being "very impaired" while driving, according to the results of an on-line survey by radio station Kiss 100FM.

Now insurers are to get tough with those found guilty of drug-driving in the same way as they do with drink-drivers.

Award-winning, non-standard insurance intermediary The A&A Group Ltd believes that though the problem has been around for years, it is now getting out of control, forcing insurance companies and police to tackle it head-on.

"People might think they can get away with drug-driving more so than drink-driving but that’s a myth," said Tony Allen, Chief Executive of A&A Group Ltd.

"Drug-driving is a big problem and one which is being taken very seriously.

"While it is technically prosecuted under the same law as drink-driving – driving while under the influence of drink or drugs – it is a double whammy because taking drugs is illegal in itself. So you can get prosecuted for driving while under the influence as well as possession.

"The focus of any campaign has traditionally been on drink-driving, but drug-driving is also on the radar.
"We do take all factors into consideration when assessing people for insurance and will treat each case individually. Those convicted of drug-driving are no different."

The survey was conducted among nearly 2,000 young drivers and was used to launch an awareness campaign, supported by the Metropolitan police, highlighting the risks of drug-driving.

In the last few years, there has been an eight per cent reduction in the overall number of deaths on the roads in Britain – but the mortality rate for young drivers has risen by 12 per cent.