Pubdate: Mon, 25 Feb 2008 Source: Bolton News, The (UK) Copyright: 2008 Newsquest Media Group Contact: http://www.boltoneveningnews.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4314 Author: Saiqa Chaudhari DRUG DRIVERS TARGETED IN NEW POLICE CAMPAIGN DRUG drivers are being targeted in a new campaign launched by police. Greater Manchester Police are arresting and charging up to 25 motorists a month for driving under the influence of illegal substances. And research - via website Facebook and a local radio station - reveals that more than one-in-four, of young drivers in the Greater Manchester area, including Bolton, are getting behind the wheel after taking drugs, with two out of five passengers admit to getting into cars driven by motorists who have taken substances. Officers are being trained to spot drug drivers and a high-profile publicity campaign has been launched. It carries the message "Drug driving... you'd be off your head." Chief Inspector Haydn Roberts from Greater Manchester Police's Traffic Network Section, said: "Like alcohol, drugs can seriously undermine your ability to drive safely. "Greater Manchester Police is taking this illegal driving behaviour extremely seriously and we have 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, so their chances of being caught are significantly increased." Around 400,000 beermats and 6,500 posters are being distributed in the borough and other towns to reinforces the campaign's message. It will also be put out on radio stations popular with young people and a new website has been launched at www.offyourhead.info (CORR). Josie Wride, a spokesman for the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership said: "We all know that drink and driving don't mix - we now need to get across the same message about drugs. "Drug-driving is as unacceptable as drink-driving and our message to anybody taking drugs and getting behind the wheel is that not only is it dangerous to themselves, their passengers and other road users, but it also carries the risk of serious penalties, including prison. It's not worth the risk." According to the Department for Transport, 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek