A crackdown on the menace of reckless driving has been announced as Labour’s Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick unveiled proposals to tackle drink and drug drivers and other dangers on Britain’s roads.

A major consultation on road safety sets out Labour's plans to crack down on drug and drink driving and how changes in the law can play a role in combating this menace. It also examines the need for tougher penalties and other changes to make it easier for police to tackle reckless driving and cut the 3,000 road deaths that take place in Britain each year.  Independent research shows that 1 in 5 drivers killed in accidents may have an impairing drug in their system.

Specific proposals include:

* exploring whether a new offence should be created to bring drug driving more into line with drink driving
* a major publicity campaign on drug driving
* improved training and equipment to help the police better enforce the current drug driving law
* £2 million for new digital breath testing equipment
* seeking views and evidence on the question of reducing the legal alcohol limit

Labour’s Road Safety Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick said:

"Britain has one of the best road safety records in the world and the number of people killed or hurt has fallen dramatically in the last decade. But too many people are still dying on our roads.

"To tackle this we must crack down on the most dangerous drivers - the selfish minority whose reckless behaviour can have a catastrophic impact on innocent victims and their families. But I am also clear we must ensure balance and not impact unnecessarily on the majority of motorists who drive safely.

"The consultation I am launching today will send a very clear message to the dangerous minority that if they ignore the rules of the road, they will be caught, and they will be punished in a way that fits the crime."