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26/01/2005
Drug driving figures on the increase
The number of people caught driving under the influence of drugs has gone up in the past year, police figures revealed today.
A total of 136 drug drivers were detected in Northern Ireland last year, up 54 on the previous year.
Chief Inspector Brian Kee, deputy head of the Police Service's Road Policing
Development Branch, announced the figures one year on from the launch of a joint PSNI / DoE Anti-drug Driving Road Safety Campaign.
He said: "Drug driving is killing people here. When blood was analysed from 86 drivers or motorcyclists killed on the roads last year, it was found that 10 drivers and two motorcyclists (14%) had consumed impairing drugs. That figure could rise, as some tests still need to be completed.”
Chief Inspector Kee said the dangers posed by drink drivers were also well known, however “tests on the 136 drivers or riders detected have revealed a range of drugs including cannabis, Ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, glue and amphetamines".
“In addition, there is a tendency for people to mix drugs and drink which becomes an even more lethal cocktail," he added.
Chief Inspector Kee also stressed that someone's ability to drive may be equally impaired by legal drugs prescribed by a doctor or bought across the counter.
These could be a great benefit to people's health but it was important to read the instructions carefully, he concluded.
(MB/SP)
A total of 136 drug drivers were detected in Northern Ireland last year, up 54 on the previous year.
Chief Inspector Brian Kee, deputy head of the Police Service's Road Policing
Development Branch, announced the figures one year on from the launch of a joint PSNI / DoE Anti-drug Driving Road Safety Campaign.
He said: "Drug driving is killing people here. When blood was analysed from 86 drivers or motorcyclists killed on the roads last year, it was found that 10 drivers and two motorcyclists (14%) had consumed impairing drugs. That figure could rise, as some tests still need to be completed.”
Chief Inspector Kee said the dangers posed by drink drivers were also well known, however “tests on the 136 drivers or riders detected have revealed a range of drugs including cannabis, Ecstasy, cocaine, heroin, glue and amphetamines".
“In addition, there is a tendency for people to mix drugs and drink which becomes an even more lethal cocktail," he added.
Chief Inspector Kee also stressed that someone's ability to drive may be equally impaired by legal drugs prescribed by a doctor or bought across the counter.
These could be a great benefit to people's health but it was important to read the instructions carefully, he concluded.
(MB/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
