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| Drug-drive changes and "drugalysers" come into force | Drug-drive changes and "drugalysers" come into force |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| New regulations aimed at stopping people driving while on drugs have come into force in England and Wales. | New regulations aimed at stopping people driving while on drugs have come into force in England and Wales. |
| For the first time, motorists face prosecution if they exceed limits set for the presence of eight illegal drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. | For the first time, motorists face prosecution if they exceed limits set for the presence of eight illegal drugs, including cannabis and cocaine. |
| Police will be able to use "drugalysers" to screen for cannabis and cocaine at the roadside. | |
| Campaigners said the changes were a "step in the right direction" while the government said they would save lives. | Campaigners said the changes were a "step in the right direction" while the government said they would save lives. |
| The new rules run alongside the existing law, under which it is an offence to drive when impaired by any drug. | The new rules run alongside the existing law, under which it is an offence to drive when impaired by any drug. |
| The existing penalties mean drug drivers already face a fine up to £5,000, up to six months in prison and a minimum one-year driving ban. | |
| 'Devastates families' | 'Devastates families' |
| The new regulations set low levels for the eight illegal drugs, with higher levels set for eight prescription drugs, including morphine and methadone. | The new regulations set low levels for the eight illegal drugs, with higher levels set for eight prescription drugs, including morphine and methadone. |
| Those using prescription drugs within recommended amounts will not be penalised. | Those using prescription drugs within recommended amounts will not be penalised. |
| Apart from using the "drugalysers", officers can test for various drugs including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin at a police station, even if a driver passes the roadside check. | Apart from using the "drugalysers", officers can test for various drugs including ecstasy, LSD, ketamine and heroin at a police station, even if a driver passes the roadside check. |
| A government road safety THINK! campaign has also been launched to coincide with the new legislation. | A government road safety THINK! campaign has also been launched to coincide with the new legislation. |
| Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said: "This new law will save lives. | Road Safety Minister Robert Goodwill said: "This new law will save lives. |
| "We know driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous; it devastates families and ruins lives. | "We know driving under the influence of drugs is extremely dangerous; it devastates families and ruins lives. |
| "The government's message is clear - if you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction." | "The government's message is clear - if you take drugs and drive, you are endangering yourself and others and you risk losing your licence and a conviction." |
| Prescription drugs covered by the new law | Prescription drugs covered by the new law |
| The changes have been welcomed by the campaigning mother of a 14-year-old girl who was killed by a speeding driver who had smoked cannabis. | The changes have been welcomed by the campaigning mother of a 14-year-old girl who was killed by a speeding driver who had smoked cannabis. |
| Lillian Groves died outside her home in New Addington, Surrey, in June 2010. The driver of the vehicle involved later received an eight-month jail sentence. | Lillian Groves died outside her home in New Addington, Surrey, in June 2010. The driver of the vehicle involved later received an eight-month jail sentence. |
| "We have fought tirelessly since losing Lillian, and our determination has brought about this significant change," said Lillian's mother, Natasha Groves. | "We have fought tirelessly since losing Lillian, and our determination has brought about this significant change," said Lillian's mother, Natasha Groves. |
| 'Lillian's legacy' | 'Lillian's legacy' |
| "Those who continue to drive while on drugs from today will now have so much to lose. | "Those who continue to drive while on drugs from today will now have so much to lose. |
| "We have achieved this law change in Lillian's name and her legacy will live on and our roads will be that bit safer." | "We have achieved this law change in Lillian's name and her legacy will live on and our roads will be that bit safer." |
| She said the legislation was now "fit for purpose". | She said the legislation was now "fit for purpose". |
| Institute of Advanced Motorists chief executive Sarah Sillars said the law was "a real step in the right direction" for the eradication of driving under the influence of drugs. | Institute of Advanced Motorists chief executive Sarah Sillars said the law was "a real step in the right direction" for the eradication of driving under the influence of drugs. |
| Tim Williamson, of the law firm Blake Morgan, said it would be advisable for motorists on medication to keep their prescription with them in the car. | Tim Williamson, of the law firm Blake Morgan, said it would be advisable for motorists on medication to keep their prescription with them in the car. |