A culture of Class A drug taking is common among some drivers working in the UK road haulage business, say industry insiders. Truck drivers are resorting to cocaine, speed and ecstasy to help keep themselves awake on long journeys. Drug testing firms say to have 10% of drivers in an haulage firm test positive for drugs was "not unusual". Road safety minister Mike Penning insists Britain's roads are among the safest in the world. One lorry driver speaking to the BBC's 5 live Investigates programme, who works for a major international haulage company, claims he regularly sees drivers use ecstasy, cannabis, speed and cocaine to relieve the boredom of lengthy shifts.
