Convicted drink drivers will learn about the dangers of drug-driving as part of a new pilot course.
Announced yesterday (24 Oct) by Andrew Jones, road safety minister, the course has been launched on the back of figures which show that a fifth of convicted drug-drivers had previously been banned for drink-driving.
The new course will be trialled by 1,000 drink drive offenders between now and March 2017. The results of the pilot will form the basis for a consultation next year to make the new rehabilitation course available for drug drivers.
Andrew Jones, road safety minister, said: “Getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs can have catastrophic results, for drivers and passengers, and can ruin families’ lives.
“Educating offenders of the dangers of drug driving will help prevent it in the future.”
Since the introduction of new laws around drug driving and easier testing in March 2015, around 7,000 drivers have been banned for drug driving – compared to 879 in 2014.
The Government says rehabilitation courses allow first time offenders to be educated about the impacts of drink driving on themselves, other road users and the emergency services.
Ken Skates, economy and infrastructure secretary at Welsh Government, said: “It’s vital that all ways of further reducing dangerous driving and the casualties that stem from it are explored in full.
“That starts with education and providing clear information that can prevent re-offending wherever possible.”
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