GREEN FLAG BACKS DRUG-DRIVING CAMPAIGN

Motoring assistance provider Green Flag, has given its backing to a campaign aimed at raising awareness of the effects drugs can have on driving ability.

Drugs can affect a driver's judgement, co-ordination, control of the vehicle, and can lead to severe fatigue. The Governments warning coincides with the launch of a new website to educate drivers and their passengers about the dangers of driving after using drugs. Aimed at 17-30 year-olds, the website at www.drugdrive.co.uk provides information on the effects of different drugs and their impact on driving ability.

In a survey of motorists* commissioned by Green Flag, six per cent of those questioned admitted to taking illegal drugs and driving and one-in-six (17 per cent) said they had driven after taking prescribed medicine that they knew would make them drowsy.

Alcohol remains the biggest killer in terms of drugs intake behind the wheel, but statistics from government and other agencies** show that 17 per cent of drivers who die in accidents have traces of illegal drugs in their system that may have affected their driving and around six per cent have traces of medicinal drugs.

Green Flag spokesperson Nigel Charlesworth said: Whatever the drug, the effects are always unpredictable. Our own research reveals the extent of the growing problem of drugs and driving but also highlights that fact that it is not only illegal drugs that can impair ability. Some drugs bought over-the-counter for conditions such as hay fever can make the driver drowsy. We recommend that people intending to drive always check the warnings on medicine and avoid driving if they advise against it."

Working with road safety charity Brake, Green Flag found that it was young people aged 18-25 years who presented the biggest risk. Research showed that younger drivers where almost twice as likely to have driven under the influence of illegal drugs (11 per cent compared to six per cent of all drivers questioned).

Green Flag has commissioned Brake to carry out a major research project examining British drivers attitudes and behaviour on road safety. The initial findings will be published as part of the companys continuing sponsorship of Road Safety Week (September 22-28), a national campaign involving government, schools and businesses that aims to raise awareness of safety issues.

Ends
Notes to editors:
 *1,001 motorists were interviewed in a study conducted in conjunction with road safety charity, Brake.
 **Driving Standards Agency. Transport Research Laboratory, Department For Transport.
 A summary of the original Green Flag Report on Safe Driving 2001 can be found at www.greenflag.com.
 Green Flag has co-sponsored Brakes Road Safety Week for the past three years.
 Green Flag Motoring Assistance provides roadside rescue and recovery to almost 5m customers, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Press Calls
Green Flag Motoring Assistance: Melanie Denny 0113 399 1387 (out of hours: 07711 964 617).
E-mail: Public-relations@greenflag.com
Website: www.greenflag.com