THE North-East's transport chief has praised an award-winning scheme highlighting the dangers of driving on drugs.

The campaign, launched 18 months ago by councils and drug action teams across the region, has won The Prince Michael International Road Safety Award for improved public education.

It aims to raise awareness, particularly among young drivers, of the risks and dangers they face if they take to the roads with drugs - legal and illicit - in their system.

Andrew Johnson, head of transport at the Government Office for the North-East (Gone), said: "It is good for the region to get recognition like this."

The award was presented at County Hall in Durham, headquarters of Durham County Council, a leading light in the scheme.

The building hosted the second Think Road Safety conference, which brought together road safety experts from across the region to discuss how progress can be made to meet the Government's casualty reduction target.

The event focused on trying to change driver behaviour and attitudes to problems such as speeding.

Mr Johnson said the drug campaign was an example of encouraging drivers to be more responsible and publicising dangers many people might not be aware of.

"If you take drugs then potentially you impair your judgement and assessment of distance and speed.

"It was an area where there is a bit of ignorance about the potential of taking drugs and driving, not just illegal drugs, but prescription drugs that might make you drowsy,''

He said there could be more campaigns like the North-East one, adding: "It is high on the agenda of the Department for Transport and we'll certainly run more of them.''

Mr Johnston said driver education about speed involved not only talking about high speeds on motorways but speeds slightly above the limit that could be dangerous in certain conditions or on certain roads, such as country lanes where there was a high number of one-vehicle accidents.