2:02pm Saturday 3rd May 2008
The numbers of deaths caused by driving while under the influence of drugs is a growing trend in Pembrokeshire according to the county coroner, who wants more campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers.
HM Coroner for Pembrokeshire, Michael Howells, believes more people now drive while under the influence of cannabis than alcohol.
Mr Howells told the Western Telegraph: "Over a period of time one notices trends - I can't give you concrete figures, but over time I have seen less alcohol and more cannabis. It is that shift in problems people are having that causes me concern.
"People are well aware you shouldn't drink and drive but not so aware of not doing drugs and driving. Cannabis has an effect that is not appreciated by the people that use these recreational drugs."
Mr Howells believes more campaigns should be launched to inform people of the danger of drug-driving as well as drink-driving campaigns.
He contributed to the debate surrounding cannabis use with a letter to the Times.
The letter states: "In an increasing number of inquests on deaths involving young people in road traffic collisions, I find that toxicological tests on the driver show that cannabis has been present.
"It is not possible to be certain but it does seem probable that driving skills have been impaired because cannabis has been ingested.
"Alcohol is recognised to be a danger to others if ingested by a driver, and there is a continuing campaign against drink-driving."
Mr Howells emphasised that driving under the influence of cannabis is more of a problem than people realise and that public information and raising awareness is key to making the practice as socially unacceptable as drink-driving.
Pembrokeshire County Council road safety education officer, John Gobbi, said: "Cannabis affects co-ordination, increasing the risk of accidents.
"There have been a number of accidents where it has been a contributing factor."
The road safety unit visits schools in Pembrokeshire, with Dyfed-Powys police, and a magazine - 1st Car - will be distributed to secondary schools in the next few weeks. This edition of the magazine includes a feature discussing the danger of using drugs and driving, aimed at raising awareness among 16 and 17 year olds.
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