Brake wants breathalyser-style tests for drugs

The poll, by road safety charity Brake, found one in 10 of those who admitted taking drugs said they mixed them with alcohol before driving.

And 90% of the drug-drivers said they would carry passengers, the survey of 1,150 people aged 17 to 25 found.

The charity has called for roadside drug-testing similar to breathalysers, and more police checks outside pubs.

The survey comes after several police forces around the UK announced they would be targeting drug-drivers.

'Horrific consequences'

Brake said that government figures showed driving on illegal drugs had "increased massively" in recent years.

The charity said 18% of drivers who died behind the wheel between 1996 and 2000 had illegal drugs in their system, compared to 3% during the period 1985-1988.

It is a disgrace that so many young people are taking these risks Mary Williams

Mary Williams, chief executive of Brake, said young people should be made to realise the "horrific consequences" of drink and drug-driving.

She said: "Brake frequently supports families whose loved ones have been killed suddenly and violently because a driver has decided to get behind the wheel on drink or drugs.

"It is a disgrace that so many young people are taking these risks and an outrage that the government does not do more to raise awareness among this age group and invest more in policing our roads."

Police action

Last week, Hampshire police targeted young people with a poster campaign warning of the dangers of driving while drunk or on drugs.

Wiltshire, Devon and Cornwall forces announced in May they would ask drivers at accidents to perform drug tests including putting a fingertip to their nose and walking in a straight line.

If drivers refused to take the tests or performed poorly while carrying them out, they may be arrested and a blood or urine sample may be taken from them for analysis.

But Brake has called on the government to do more.

The charity said ministers should increase TV advertising, give police more powers to carry out random checks and introduce electronic drug-testing devices.