Say yes to cheaper van, home and car insurance

Some one in seven motorists drive while on drugs, according to a WhatCar? poll.

The news comes as police release figures indicating drug-driving is on the increase, with 37.7 per cent of suspected drivers stopped over the Christmas period having drugs in the bloodstream.

Last year, the figure was 33 per cent.

Car insurance prices may be affected by the development, particularly for young people - one in five of whom would take drugs and drive, the poll claims.

Police should be issued with roadside equipment to test drug-drivers similar to that available to assess drink-drivers, says WhatCar? group editor Steve Fowler.

"The drug driver we spoke to thought he had little prospect of being caught … but said he would instantly stop if the police could test him with proper equipment," he commented.

According to information from the Department for Road Safety, drug driving can cause slower reaction times, aggression, over-confidence and erratic behaviour.

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