Latest news with #drugdriving
Auto Express
37 minutes ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
You could soon be forced to keep breathalysers and black boxes in your car
Labour could soon mandate breathalysers and black boxes on all new cars following a rise in drink and drug-driving deaths in the UK. Almost 400 people lost their lives in 2023 following a collision involving someone under the influence. The latest statistics from the Department for Transport show that while the number of people who died as a result of drink driving dipped slightly year-on-year by 14 per cent to a still-significant 260, the number who lost their lives as a result of drug driving rose significantly by 38 per cent to 124 in 2023. Advertisement - Article continues below Against a backdrop of such grisly statistics, Labour is considering adopting the EU's latest GSR2 car safety regulations, which could see the likes of alcolocks (essentially breathalysers that prevent those under the influence from driving), black boxes (which log details such as speed and inputs in the event of a crash) and drowsiness alerts all becoming mandatory in new cars. As of July 2024, all new cars in the EU are required to have been designed with the necessary preparations for an alcolock to be retroactively installed. A black box, however, must be installed from the point of purchase, with existing models expected to receive these updates by July 2026. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below The Government says that mirroring the EU's regulations, while not obligatory as part of Brexit negotiations, would streamline production between left and right-hand-drive markets, thus helping drive prices down while also improving safety. This has been rebutted by the Conservative opposition, with former party leader, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, accusing Labour of 'incrementally moving back towards the European Union'. Regardless, director of policy and standards at road safety charity IAMRoadSmart, Nicholas Lyes, said that 'While the latest drink-drive-related fatality figures have declined compared to the previous year, the trend over the past decade is troubling and shows that we are stuck in a dangerous rut.' Lyes called on the Government to 'redouble [its] efforts on enforcement, providing the police with the necessary tools to clamp down on drink drivers, while reviewing our approach to both first-time and repeat offenders'. Labour's plans to introduce GSR2 regulations and thus things such as alcolocks is also something supported by the likes of the RAC, which has previously called for their introduction for repeat offenders. The RAC's spokesperson, Rod Dennis, said: 'We've consistently been calling for a change in approach when it comes to reducing alcohol-related road deaths, as it's clear the status quo isn't working. 'Since 2022 we have urged the Government to consider mandating all new vehicles have interfaces that allow alcolocks to be fitted easily,' Dennis continued. 'We are also supportive of police being given the powers to immediately disqualify any driver who fails a drink or drugs test at the roadside.' Did you know you can sell your car with Auto Express? Get the highest bid from our network of over 5,500 dealers and we'll do the rest. Click here to try Auto Express Sell My Car now ... Find a car with the experts Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Electric cars driven until they die: the truth about EV range Five EVs under £24k have joined Dacia's Spring on the UK market. How far can you go on a budget? We find out New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k New Citroen C5 Aircross SUV undercuts the Volkswagen Tiguan by a huge £7k Citroen's revamped flagship C5 Aircross SUV is available to order now with hybrid or electric power Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price Car Deal of the Day: Polestar 4 is a head-turning EV for a super cool price The 'car with no rear window' is looking seriously cheap on lease right now. It's our Deal of the Day for July 28
The Independent
17-07-2025
- The Independent
Tractor smashes into homes after drug driver runs red light
A drug-driver crashed into a tractor, causing it to smash into a row of houses in Chester. Matthew Cumpsty, 52, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, drove a Mercedes E-Class through a red light into the path of a JCB tractor, Cheshire Police said. The impact of the crash caused the tractor to veer off the road into a series of homes in Green Lane, leaving a trail of destruction. Two houses suffered serious structural damage. There were no reports of injuries. Cumpsty appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday (15 July) where he was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge and received a 16-month driving ban. He had earlier pleaded guilty to drug-driving and dangerous driving.
The Independent
17-07-2025
- The Independent
Video: Tractor smashes into homes after drug driver runs red light
A drug-driver crashed into a tractor, causing it to smash into a row of houses in Chester. Matthew Cumpsty, 52, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, drove a Mercedes E-Class through a red light into the path of a JCB tractor, Cheshire Police said. The impact of the crash caused the tractor to veer off the road into a series of homes in Green Lane, leaving a trail of destruction. Two houses suffered serious structural damage. There were no reports of injuries. Cumpsty appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday (15 July) where he was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge and received a 16-month driving ban. He had earlier pleaded guilty to drug-driving and dangerous driving.
Telegraph
17-07-2025
- Telegraph
Watch: Tractor crashes into houses after collision with drug driver
A drug driver who crashed into a tractor and caused it to plough into a row of houses has avoided a jail sentence. Matthew Cumpsty drove a silver Mercedes E-Class through a red light into the path of a JCB tractor, Cheshire Police said. The impact of the crash in Chester caused the tractor to veer off the road into a series of homes, leaving a trail of devastation. Emergency services attended the collision in Green Lane on April 1 and found that two houses had suffered serious structural damage. Footage of the crash shows the tractor driving straight into the front of a number of properties, causing at least two to partially collapse. Police said it was 'pure chance' that there were no reports of injuries. Cumpsty was arrested at the scene after failing a roadside drugs swipe. One bad decision A toxicology report later revealed that he was over the limit for benzoylecgonine (cocaine) with 65 micrograms per litre of blood, over the limit of 50mcg, the force said. The 52-year-old, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, appeared at Chester Crown Court where he was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge and received a 16-month driving ban. He had earlier pleaded guilty to drug-driving and dangerous driving. Pc Richard Phillips said: 'While Cumpsty has shown remorse for his actions, the impact of his actions that day were life-changing and it was pure chance that nobody suffered any serious injuries. 'As a result of one bad decision to get behind the wheel while under the influence, several families were left homeless and commuters travelling into Chester were left with serious disruption for several weeks while repair work was undertaken. 'In addition, Cumpsty is facing a lengthy driving ban. I hope that this ban will give him time to reflect on his actions that day.'
The Independent
16-07-2025
- The Independent
Moment tractor smashes into homes after drug driver runs red light
Showing now | News 00:26 Holly Patrick A drug-driver crashed into a tractor, causing it to smash into a row of houses in Chester. Matthew Cumpsty, 52, of Oldfield Drive, Great Boughton, drove a Mercedes E-Class through a red light into the path of a JCB tractor, Cheshire Police said. The impact of the crash caused the tractor to veer off the road into a series of homes in Green Lane, leaving a trail of destruction. Two houses suffered serious structural damage. There were no reports of injuries. Cumpsty appeared at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday (15 July) where he was handed a 12-month community order including 200 hours community service. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £114 surcharge and received a 16-month driving ban. He had earlier pleaded guilty to drug-driving and dangerous driving.
