Proposed regulations for drug driving
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Detail of outcome
This document summarises 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
We’re consulting on our preferred option of making it an offence to drive if any of 17 controlled drugs are found over a specified limit in the bloodstream.
For the 8 drugs most associated with illegal use, a zero tolerance approach is proposed when setting the limits. For the 8 drugs most associated with medical uses, we propose that a road safety risk approach is appropriate when determining limits. For a further controlled drug, amphetamine, a limit is not proposed in this consultation but we are seeking views on what a suitable limit might be because this drug has both significant illegal and medical use.
Two other policy options are also considered in this consultation.
After taking account of any responses received from the consultation, regulations containing the final proposals would then need to be approved by Parliament before they could become law.
A further consultation, Drug driving: amphetamine limit, was opened on 19 December 2013.
Documents
Last updated 27 March 2014 + show all updates
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Consultation response added.
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First published.