A campaign is being launched this week across Greater Manchester targeting the region’s drug drivers.
Research conducted on Facebook and a local radio station revealed that 30% of young drivers in and around the city are getting behind the wheel after taking drugs - and 41% of passengers are admitting to getting into cars driven by drivers who have taken drugs.
Around 400,000 beer mats and 6,500 posters are being sent out across the city and surrounding towns with the message "Drug driving...you'd be off your head". The campaign, which has been launched by the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership, also includes an advertising campaign on youth radio stations and a new website - www.offyourhead.info.
Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts, from the Traffic Network Section, said: “Greater Manchester Police has made a major investment in training officers to undertake roadside drug impairment testing. More than 180 trained officers will be deployed during this campaign to specifically target drug drivers.”
According to the DfT, drugs can affect drivers by causing slower reaction times, poor concentration, sleepiness, confusion, distorted perception, over-confidence, impaired co-ordination, hallucinations, blurred vision, aggression and dizziness.
For further information contact Denise Raven on 07947 142 514.
