Overview

This bill aims to introduce roadside drug testing in England and Wales. It amends existing road traffic legislation to allow for preliminary drug testing and increases driving bans for drug-related offences.

Description

The Drugs (Roadside Testing) Act 2009 proposes two key changes:

• Roadside Drug Testing: The bill mandates the Secretary of State to approve a device for preliminary roadside drug tests within 12 months of the bill's passage. This introduces a system similar to breathalyzers for alcohol, allowing police to quickly test drivers suspected of drug use.
• Increased Penalties: The bill significantly increases driving bans for drug-related driving offences. For a first offence within three years of a prior drug-related driving conviction, the minimum ban increases to twelve months. Subsequent offences result in a minimum two-year ban.

The bill excludes Northern Ireland.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify the direct cost of implementing roadside drug testing. The government's expenditure will include costs associated with the approval and procurement of testing devices, training of police officers, and potential court costs related to increased prosecutions.

Groups Affected

Groups potentially affected include:

• Drivers: Drivers who use illegal drugs face increased risk of detection and harsher penalties, including longer driving bans.
• Police: Police will need training and resources to administer the new roadside drug tests.
• Courts: Increased prosecutions for drug-driving offences may increase the workload of courts.
• Government: The government will bear the cost of implementing the new testing procedures.

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