Warning of ‘drug-driving epidemic’ as offences overtake drink-driving for the first time
Britain is facing a “drug-taking epidemic”, a leading charity has warned, as new figures reveal drink-driving has overtaken drink driving for the first time.
Data obtained by IAM RoadSmart shows that 30,707 endorsements for drug use will be added to driving licenses in 2025; This represents a 28 percent increase on the figure of 23,981 three years ago.
In comparison, drink driving approvals totaled 29,981 last year; This number was down 17 percent from 35,976 in 2022.
Young drivers aged 17 to 24 make up 18 percent of all endorsed drug users, even though they represent only 6 percent of license holders.
The Department for Transport (DfT) described the findings as “extremely worrying”, while IAM RoadSmart also called for “radical action” to tackle the problem.
The figures are based on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) statistics on DG10 and DR10 endorsements issued in Britain to people convicted of driving or attempting to drive over the legal limit for drugs or alcohol respectively.
If you are unfit to drive because you have taken legal or illegal drugs, or if you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood, it is illegal to drive.
People caught using drugs face a driving ban of at least one year, unlimited fines and up to six months in prison.
A drug driver who reached speeds of 167 miles per hour while being pursued by police on the A55 near Bangor, North Wales, on February 23 was sentenced to prison on Friday.
Daniel Tunstead, 35, of Mond Road, Widnes, was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a three-year driving ban at Mold Crown Court after admitting drug use, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at an earlier hearing.
The latest DfT statistics show that 74 people will die on British roads in 2024 in crashes where a driver’s drug impairment was recorded as a contributing factor.
The department committed to tackling drug use in its road safety strategy published in January.
This included reviewing sentences and exploring alternative methods of gathering evidence.
IAM RoadSmart has called for police forces to be given the power to immediately suspend a driver’s license following a failed roadside test, without waiting for a blood test to be analyzed later.
Nicholas Lyes, the charity’s director of policy and external communications, said: “It is becoming clear that the UK is mired in an epidemic of drug abuse, to the point that it may now be a greater threat to our streets than drink driving.
“These figures reveal the need for radical action to support police forces and reduce harm to all other road users.
“The UK Government’s road safety strategy makes clear its intention to tackle drug use, but we need to act before more lives are needlessly lost.
“Educating people about misconceptions about the effects of drugs on a person’s ability to drive is a start, but police should be given the power to suspend licenses at the roadside if they fail a drug sample test.
“It is also vital that we establish a national drug-related rehabilitation programme.”
A DfT spokesman said: “These figures are extremely worrying. Drug driving is reckless, dangerous and ruins lives.”
“Our first road safety strategy in a decade includes consultation on new powers to suspend the licenses of drivers suspected of using drugs.
“We are also modernizing the way we tackle drug abuse by exploring new forensic testing methods, including saliva or sweat samples, to ensure those who endanger lives on our roads face swift consequences.”
