A new online workshop is now available from TTC to help businesses proactively educate employees on the risks of drug-driving, which has now reached epidemic proportions.
The workshop aims to increase ‘conscious awareness’ amongst those who drive for work and/or operate workplace machinery of the impact and consequences of taking drugs, as latest Department for Transport figures show casualties in relation to drug-driving have risen 260% in the past 12 years.
The scale of the problem was spotlighted by National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) arrest data following a campaign of roadside testing in December 2023 that suggested growing “social acceptance of drug-driving”. The data indicated that in England and Wales 48.5% of drug tests were positive, compared to 9.5% of breath tests for alcohol.
With an estimated 14 million fleet drivers, including grey fleet, on the UK’s roads today, this could represent some 675,000 employees that may be drug-driving, unintentionally or otherwise.
Andy Wheeler, training product manager at TTC, said: “Prevention is better than cure and our new dedicated online workshop arms employees with the knowledge needed to make a conscious and informed decision before taking drugs or prescribed medicine and driving. Importantly, it also helps employers and employees recognise the signs of drug use in others and guides them on how to take appropriate action responsibly.”
The 3.5-hour workshop covers the impact of prescribed medication, such as painkillers and the three main types of drugs – depressants e.g. cannabis and heroin, stimulants e.g. cocaine and ecstasy, and hallucinogens e.g. ketamine and LSD.
The workshop explores their effects on driving and the use of machinery, as well as covering common signs of drug use, police powers to stop drug-driving including roadside testing, and the law relating to drug-driving.
The workshop uses real-life case studies that demonstrate the consequences of drug-driving on drivers, their families and employers – and features insight from psychologists, communicators and road safety experts to ensure it engages with and motivates learners.
Andy Wheeler continued: “All employers have a duty of care to their employees and can help build conscious awareness by educating their staff on drug use before they get behind the wheel. Proactive employers will not only help avoid absenteeism, lost productivity and output but could prevent the loss of driving a licence, serious harm or injury to employees and their colleagues on the move.”
