A 110-mph reason for a new law (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

A 110-mph reason for a new law

7:56am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Our View By Telegraph & Argus

It is incredibly fortunate that when Joseph Sharpe drove on city centre roads in Bradford at speeds of up to 110mph having taken cocaine that no one was killed or injured.

And it again highlights the need for a specific drug-driving law to be introduced to increase the powers of the police and the courts when dealing with such offenders.

A car is potentially a lethal and destructive weapon, and no one should get behind the wheel having taken an illegal substance.

Introducing a law and allowing roadside or police station testing for the use of such drugs by drivers will hopefully act as a deterrent.

It is an idea that has been backed by the Prime Minister after a campaign was launched by a local newspaper in Croydon where a family lost their daughter after she was knocked down and killed by a driver who was high on cannabis.

David Cameron agreed that the death highlighted the need for roadside testing for drug use when the police have cause to believe substances have been taken.

If a pedestrian had been crossing the road or another car had been in the wrong place at the wrong time when Sharpe was driving at such a high speed, the consequences could have been catastrophic and tragic.

That is why this newspaper would support calls for the introduction of more stringent laws on drug use while driving.

Hopefully, being dragged through the courts and sentenced to jail will have the effect on Sharpe that his solicitor claims and see him stop taking drugs.

But surely it would be far better to have stricter and more enforceable laws to act as a deterrent to stop people getting behind the wheel after taking an illegal substance.