BRITISH drivers are among the worst drug-driving offenders in Europe, a new study has found.

The Government is being urged to introduce roadside testing as more than a fifth of people admit to driving shortly after taking illegal drugs.

And the fact 7% of those say they have been involved in an accident while impaired by drugs reinforces the importance of fleets introducing at-work drug policies.

Fleet costs can also be affected if a company driver is involved in an accident caused by the driver of another vehicle having taken drugs.

The latest study was carried out by motor insurer More Than in conjunction with drug impairment expert and consultant Dr Rob Tunbridge.

Dr Tunbridge said: ‘Brits are some of the worst drug-driving offenders in Europe, and drug- driving could become as serious a problem in the UK as drink-driving. A total of 18% of drivers killed in road accidents in this country have traces of illicit drugs in their bodies.’

The study was carried out among more than 1,000 people aged between 25 and 35 years old. It found that 32% of those who said they had driven under the influence of drugs would be deterred from doing so again if police carried out more roadside checks.

Mike Holliday-Williams, head of insurance at More Than, said: ‘Drug-driving presents a serious risk not only to those who choose to do it, but also to other motorists on the road.

‘For this reason it is vitally important that highly effective measures are put in place as quickly as possible to crack down on offenders.

‘We believe that roadside screening should be a practical reality within the next two years and urge the Government to introduce the test without delay.’