As we move into the festive period, this month’s Toolbox Talk focuses on a risk that continues to rise sharply across the UK: driving while under the influence of drugs.

The latest THINK! winter campaign – “Don’t Put Drugs in the Driving Seat” – provides clear, hard-hitting evidence that drug-driving is now one of the most significant emerging threats on our roads. Between 2014 and 2023 there was a 70% increase in drivers killed in collisions where drugs were present, a trend that shows no sign of slowing without a shift in awareness, behaviour and responsibility.

While drug-driving is often associated with illegal substances, the THINK! campaign highlights an equally important message: impairment also includes prescription and over-the-counter medications. Many drivers assume they are safe to drive if they “feel fine”, but research shows impairment to reaction times, awareness and judgement can be present long before the driver notices any change in how they feel.

This month we bring that reality to the forefront, helping drivers understand the real-world risks and the legal consequences.

The festive season compounds these risks further. Darker conditions, fatigue, disrupted sleep, social events and higher stress levels all create a backdrop where impairment – of any kind – can have devastating consequences. THINK!’s new campaign assets emphasise that a single poor decision can trigger a chain of events affecting colleagues, families and other road users.

Our Toolbox Talk this month uses THINK! campaign assets to reinforce five key messages:

• Fitness to drive is a personal and professional responsibility
• Drug-driving laws apply equally to recreational and prescription substances
• Feeling normal does not guarantee you are safe to drive
• Professional drivers must assess their fitness before every journey
• A strong safety culture includes speaking up when something doesn’t look right

We mirror the clarity and directness of THINK!’s messaging in the Toolbox Talk and also reflect our ongoing commitment to professional standards: ensuring drivers understand the risks, know the law and feel supported to make the right decisions.

The campaign materials – including video, audio and static visuals – are incorporated throughout the talk to help reinforce the message and encourage real conversations within teams. By aligning directly with THINK!’s national behaviour-change campaign, this month’s Toolbox Talk provides an effective, timely reminder that safe driving begins long before anyone gets behind the wheel.