Partner Article

Will the new drug-driving proposals affect business?

Stuart McColm, Commercial Director of London Executive, London’s largest executive car company, assesses government plans to make it easier to prosecute people who drive under the influence of illegal drugs in England and Wales.

The safety of drivers and passengers is a huge concern for those, such as myself, managing large fleets of vehicles that operate 24/7, and for private hire firms and their drivers, these changes will have important implications.

Drivers can face fines of up to £5000 and a criminal record, on top of a 12 month driving ban. Drivers who are found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving will face prison sentences of up to fourteen years. This not only affects their immediate career, but in the long term any potential employer will be able to see their drug-driving conviction on their licence.

London Executive are big on road safety and as London’s largest executive private hire car company, transporting their clients throughout London and the home counties, the entire firm is extremely supportive of the government’s plans to make it easier to prosecute people who drive under the influence of illegal drugs in England and Wales.

Road safety is often overlooked or taken for granted, which results in both fatalities and permanent disabilities, causing devastating effects to family life.

London Executive believe that having a quick, easy, roadside drug test will send an immediate message to drugged drivers - that this will not be tolerated.

I’m sure that this would be a great starting platform to build on, as well as initially raising more public awareness of the dangers of driving under impaired concentration. I personally feel that anything which helps to promote safe driving is well worth exploring.

London is a city where passenger transport is readily available within minutes, 24 hours a day, and so London Executive believes that there should be no excuse for any driver to drive whilst under the influence of any drug.

It would serve us all well if compulsory weekly or monthly tests were also conducted on all passenger and goods drivers, i.e. bus drivers, black taxi drivers, lorry drivers and cyclists. Whilst this may be a drain on the resources of the police, London Executive believes that safety is paramount and should never be compromised.

The message to our drivers here at London Executive is very clear, if for any reason you are unable to drive – then don’t. Whether it be a state of tiredness or that the driver has a cold and has taken some cold and flu medicines which can cause drowsiness – don’t drive!

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by London Executive .