Infrastructure Minister has launched a major public
consultation on plans to modernise Northern Ireland's drug
driving laws as part of wider efforts to improve road safety and
reduce deaths and serious injuries on our roads.
The consultation which has launched today, seeks views on
proposals to create a new legal framework that would allow
offences linked to specified drug limits to be introduced in the
future. This would bring Northern Ireland closer to the approach
already in place in the South and across GB.
At present, drug driving offences here are based on proving that
a driver's ability to drive was impaired by drugs. Under the
proposed new framework, it would be possible to introduce
offences linked to specified drug limits, meaning that drivers
found to be over a legal limit for certain drugs could be
prosecuted without the need to prove impairment.
Launching the consultation, the Minister said: "Drug driving puts
lives at risk and can have devastating consequences for victims,
families and communities.
"Every death and serious injury on our roads is one too many. We
know that drugs can seriously impair a person's ability to drive
safely and evidence suggests that drug driving is an increasing
concern.
"Our current approach to tackling drug driving has changed little
over many decades. As patterns of drug use, vehicle technology
and enforcement methods have evolved, it is important that our
laws keep pace.
"These proposals are about creating a modern and effective
framework for tackling drug driving and improving safety for
everyone who uses our roads."
The Department's proposals include:
- creating a new two-tier system that would retain existing
impairment offences while also allowing offences linked to
specified drug limits;
- new offences covering driving, attempting to drive, or being
in charge of a vehicle while over the legal limit for a specified
drug;
- powers to specify drugs and limits through future regulations
and update them if patterns of drug use change;
- a statutory medical defence to protect those who have
legitimately been prescribed relevant medicines for medical or
dental purposes;
- penalties aligned with existing drink and drug driving
offences; and
- exploring the potential introduction of rehabilitation
courses for drug driving offenders.
Evidence highlighted in the consultation indicates that drug
driving is an increasing road safety concern. Since the
introduction of roadside drug testing by the PSNI in 2024, just
over half of those screened have tested positive for cannabis and
or cocaine. The consultation also notes that the number of people
killed or seriously injured in collisions involving drug-impaired
drivers has increased in recent years.
The Minister continued: "The North remains one of the few
jurisdictions on these islands that continues to rely solely on
an impairment-based approach to drug driving.
"I want to ensure we have robust and effective laws that help
protect road users, support enforcement activity and reflect
modern realities.
"The views we receive through this consultation will play an
important role in shaping future legislation. I would encourage
anyone with an interest in road safety to read the proposals and
have their say."
The consultation will run for 12 weeks, closing on 27 January
2027 and feedback received will help inform the next stage of
policy development and any future legislation.
Further information, including details on how to respond, is
available at: https://www.infrastructure-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-proposals-modernise-northern-irelands-drug-driving-laws
