article_snippet: But the penalties are far lower – unless motorists are convicted of careless or dangerous driving.
article_snippet: ‘Most drivers would welcome harsher penalties but we still need the perceived risk of being caught to increase before more drivers hang up behind the wheel.
article_snippet: The row threatens to overshadow the introduction today of ‘drug driving’ laws.
article_snippet: Drivers face prosecution if Drivers are caught exceeding new limits which have, for the first time, been laid down for eight illegal drugs and eight prescription drugs.
article_snippet: If caught, a driver faces an automatic fixed penalty notice worth £100 and 3 penalty points on their licence.
article_snippet: Only if it goes to court do court risk being disqualified, but the maximum fine is only £1,000.
article_snippet: By comparison, drink-drivers face 6 months in jail, a fine of up to £5,000 fine and a driving ban for at least a year, rising to three years if convicted twice in a decade.