Drug driving: amphetamine limit
Detail of outcome
On 27 March 2014 we published a summary of the responses to the consultation of 9 July to 17 September 2013 on the proposed approach to the drugs and their limits to be specified in regulations. The summary also includes the responses to a second consultation of 19 December 2013 to 30 January 2014 on a proposed limit for amphetamine following consideration of responses to the earlier consultation.
In consideration of the responses the government has concluded that there is support for its proposal to take a zero tolerance approach to 8 drugs most associated with illegal use and a road safety risk based approach to 8 drugs most associated with medical use. However, the government has concluded that the concerns from the medical community on the proposed limit for amphetamine are significant and will therefore reconsider the limit and re-consult later this year. The government will therefore be presenting to Parliament the regulations with the drugs and their limits proposed in the consultation but with the exclusion of amphetamine. Amphetamine will be included in further regulations once a suitable limit has been determined.
The regulations containing the final proposals need to be approved by Parliament before they could become law.
Related drug driving documents
- Drug driving, written ministerial statement published 27 March 2014
- Public approval for driving limits for 16 drugs, press notice published 27 March 2014
Original consultation
Consultation description
In this consultation we are looking for comments on a proposed limit for amphetamine use while driving.
This discussion follows the original Drug driving: proposed regulations consultation which discussed the preferred policy option of making it an offence to drive over specified limits for 17 controlled drugs. In ‘Drug driving: proposed regulations’ a zero tolerance approach was suggested for 8 drugs most associated with illegal use and a road safety risk approach for 8 drugs most associated with medical uses.
No limit was originally suggested for amphetamine as it has both significant medical and illicit use and, as a consequence, we sought views on what a suitable limit might be instead. Those views have now been considered and a suitable amphetamine limit is now proposed.
After reviewing responses, regulations containing final proposals will need to be approved by Parliament before they become law.
Documents
Last updated 27 March 2014 + show all updates
-
Link to the response document added.
-
First published.