Policies and procedures for addressing drug driving are placed under the spotlight in the latest free Global Fleet Champions resource.
A new factsheet sponsored by D.Tec International offers advice on how fleet organisations can protect themselves and others from the risks of drug driving.
The resource explains how different substances can affect driving ability, how to recognise the signs that drivers may be impaired, and the potential consequences that a drug-induced collision can have.
It also outlines how a ‘policy, educate, deter, detect’ process is essential for dealing with the risk of drug driving in a measured and effective way.
The factsheet is based on content from a webinar that was broadcast in July 2021 and featured input from D.Tec International as well as Andrew Drewary, Consultant Collision Analyst at Road Safety Smart, and Lesley O’Brien, Partner at Freight Link Europe.
Drug driving is a serious issue for fleet safety with one in 13 working-age adults across Europe using cannabis in the last year.
Common side-effects of drugs include reduced coordination and awareness, overconfidence, and fatigue – all of which increase the likelihood of a serious collision occurring.
Global Fleet Champions factsheets are for anyone who manages people who drive for work, regardless of budget, fleet size or vehicle type, and are designed to give managers short, simple advice on key road safety topics.
Scott Williams, head of programme delivery at Brake, the road safety charity, said: “Anyone impaired by substances, whether illegal or prescription, is never fit to be in control of a vehicle. We hope fleet organisations can use this new Global Fleet Champions factsheet to recognise the risks that drug driving can present, and can use it to implement the right measures to ensure everyone is safe to be behind the wheel.”
Ean Lewin, Managing Director at D.tec International advises: “It is important to remember that whilst the immediate and next day effects of drink-driving are well known within our society, not many individuals know and understand the immediate and following day effects of drug-driving. Therefore, it is fundamental that employees are educated on the dangers of driving whilst impaired through drugs. Hopefully, this new Global Fleet Champions factsheet will make employees realise that what they do at the weekend does impinge on their work performance through concentration, motor skills, reaction times and their willingness to take risks.”