Major new campaign to crack down on Drug Driving

The first national TV advertising campaign to tackle drug driving was launched by Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis today after new research showed that one in 10 young male drivers admit to driving after taking illegal drugs.

The new £2.3 million campaign highlights that the police can and will detect drug drivers - and that anyone convicted will face the same tough penalties as a drink driver. The first TV advert will be shown tonight before Coronation Street.

One in five drivers killed in road accidents may have an impairing drug in their system.

The police can spot the signs that someone is driving under the influence of drugs and - as the new campaign highlights - once a driver has been stopped their eyes will give them away because of the obvious and involuntary effects drugs have on the body. Anyone convicted of driving while unfit through drugs will get a minimum 12 months driving ban, a criminal record and a large fine.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said:

"Government campaigns over the past 40 years have succeeded in making drink driving socially unacceptable and cutting the number of people killed in drink drive accidents by nearly three quarters.

"But some drivers who would never get behind the wheel after drinking still believe they can drive after taking drugs. We are determined to get the message through to this reckless minority that their behaviour is putting lives in danger.

"The penalties for drug driving are just the same as for drink driving because drug driving is just as dangerous. Drivers should be in no doubt that if you get behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs then the police can spot you, they can test you and you will face punishment."

In addition police forces across the country will be targeting drug drivers throughout the August music festival and holiday season.

The new campaign also includes print, poster and on-line advertising as well as music festival and radio sponsorship.

(DFT) Passengers set for faster more convenient rail services

A new train service enabling thousands of Kent commuters to leave their cars behind and travel to London on high speed trains will lead to faster, more convenient journeys for rail passengers and boost the local economy, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said today.

Mr Hoon was visiting the region today to discuss the potential of bringing Crossrail services to the Thames Gateway area. The Government is working closely with councils and local stakeholders to safeguard a route there.

Whilst there, he also viewed plans for two new domestic rail platforms at Ebbsfleet station and an extended 9,000 space park-and-ride facility - both set to open in December 2009 - which will help slash journey times for rail passengers.
Inspecting the progress of work at the station, Geoff Hoon said:

"Ebbsfleet has successfully served high speed international rail services for some time now and I am delighted passengers on domestic services travelling into London and to the South East coast are about to benefit from faster journey times.

"The Government has committed £51 million to develop transport in the region and this is just one of many schemes we are supporting, including a number of local road improvement schemes and the 'Fastrack' bus service - which I also viewed during my visit to the area - which now carries more than 1.5million passengers every year."

The Secretary of State also met with local councillors and was accompanied on his tour of Ebbsfleet and the Fastrack bus service by Dartford MP Howard Stoate.