Sussex police commissioner welcomes targeting drug-influenced drivers

Sussex’s Police & Crime Commissioner has welcomed new measures that have come into force via the Crime and Courts Act to target people who drive while under the influence of drugs.

The offence, introduced to the Crime and Courts Bill, which achieved Royal Assent last week, was one of the priorities in Mrs Bourne’s campaign manifesto.

Commenting on the changes to the legislation, Katy Bourne said: “During my election campaign I pledged to lobby Government to make driving under the influence of drugs as equally unacceptable as drink driving.

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Residents have told me that road safety is their main concern and I am determined to tackle this problem during my term in office.

“Between 1st April 2012 and 31st March 2013, there were 1,889 arrests for drink/drug driving offences. Of these, 51 related directly to driving whilst impaired through drugs.

“I am fully supportive of the work carried out by the police and partners to improve road safety and reduce the number of casualties across Sussex.

“Roadside detection and deterrent is an effective measure and I will be supporting investment in technology that enables officers to quickly check whether a driver is under the influence of drugs.

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“I would also like to see communities becoming more involved in playing their part in making Sussex safer through initiatives such as Community Speed Watch where speeding is a concern and supporting Operation Crackdown to tackle anti-social driving. Safer roads and communities can only be created by working together and sharing the roads responsibly.”