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Motorists who do not have drug tests along the way are allowed to keep driving up to six months due to a backlog in testing confirmatory blood samples.
Some of the drivers killed behind the wheel while their results are pending.
The backlog and delay was described as ‘unacceptable’ by the families of some of those who died in accidents caused by drug drivers on bail.
Mother-of-two Jane Hickson died on an intersection just meters from her home in Chester when her car was hit by a motorist who went through a red light.
Jane Hickson died after being hit by a motorist who was on bail for drug management
It was later revealed that driver Paul Wright was on bail at the time for drug management, after being arrested six months earlier after being tested positively on the road.
Police were still waiting for the results of the blood test at the time of the accident in which Ms Hickson died.
“The fact is that these people are there and drive under the influence of drugs as we have been sitting here. People are in danger, and I don’t think it’s acceptable,” her husband John told Sky News.
“It’s hard to get on of something that was such a senseless way to die for Jane. I think it’s perfectly avoidable too. I think we as a society should do something about it. They should be of the roads as soon as possible. ‘
Paul Wright. Photo: Cheshire Constabulary
Like many, Mr. Hickson that the drug handling system did not keep pace with the way liquor drivers are caught. They are generally banned within days due to confirmatory breath tests at police stations.
This comes at a time when many police forces across the UK report that they are now arresting more people for drug management than liquor management.
Experts point to the system used in France and Australia, which tests saliva rather than blood and provides a confirmatory, evidence within days.
Ean Lewin, the founder of D.Tec International, which offers drug tests along the police forces across the country, told Sky News: “Saliva is a perfectly acceptable solution, and it can be processed much faster in the laboratory.
“If we can have proof confirmation within a week, we may find it in court the following week, which is the same time scale as is currently acceptable to alcohol.”
In January, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood told the Commons that she had heard concerns about the issue firsthand while she was patrol with police.
Any action will now come too late for Tim Burgess family. He died in a collision in July, who also left his partner with life -changing injuries.
The other driver, Joshua Eldred, was two and a half times the cocaine limit and 16 times over the limit for a compound showing the recent use of cocaine.
Joshua Eldred. Photo: Cheshire Constabulary
Eldred was in another accident ten days before, but was in pending blood test, which means he was free to drive. The test later confirmed that he had taken cocaine.
Mr. Burgess’s sister Linzi Stewart launched a campaign asking for a change in the law.
“I think people just think they can take drugs and get behind the wheel and get away with it, because there is no effective system to prosecute and charge them. There is not enough deterrent.
“Road deaths have almost normalized and there is so much complacency in the UK around road deaths.”
The National Police Chiefs have requested us to reject an interview. Last year, it called on new powers to allow officers to immediately disqualify liquor or drug drivers on the part of the road.
Read more:
Officers should be allowed to ban drug drivers on the road – police chiefs
Drug management warning as footage shows that there are accidents
Linzi Stewart is working on a campaign for a change of law
On the backlog of blood tests for drug drivers said: “In the past, the NPCC was aware of problems with the processing of blood samples of drug -driven, with backlog and delays up to six months in some cases.
“However, the position is currently very different, with the majority of cases now being processed within six months.”
Monthly delays, according to families, keep lives at risk.
“I don’t feel angry with the offender, because I feel that if he was handled ten days before, he would hopefully learn his lesson,” said Ms Stewart.
“The life of his family has been destroyed, his life has been destroyed, our lives are destroyed. If it was handled at the time, we wouldn’t be where we are now. ‘
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