One in two motorists pulled over on suspicion of drug-driving are failing roadside drug tests, prompting calls to tackle a growing epidemic.
Data from a Freedom of Information request sent to UK police forces and analysed by IAM RoadSmart has revealed that more than half (51%) of drivers tested positive during roadside testing in 2023. And in 2024, 49% of drivers tested positive in the first seven months of the year.
At the same time, Department for Transport (DfT) figures show the number of deceased drivers with ‘impairment drugs’ present has increased by over 70% from 2014 to 2022, leading to concerns from IAM RoadSmart that drug users continue to get behind the wheel despite the dangers.
Police Scotland recorded the most failed tests in December 2023 and January 2024 with a total of 526 offenders, followed by Greater Manchester Police with 397 and Surrey Police with 368.
The road safety organisation also said the figures could be higher; a roadside swab test, which identifies whether motorists have taken cannabis or cocaine on the spot, was introduced in 2015, however some forces only started recording data in 2023.
Separate research by IAM RoadSmart indicates that one in seven (16%) drivers aged 17-34 admitted to getting behind the wheel after taking class A drugs.
The new data comes on the back of latest figures showing a 50% jump in drivers killed in collisions where the driver was under the influence of drugs.
IAM RoadSmart policy manager William Porter said the message about the dangers of drug-driving is clearly not getting through.
He added: “We urgently need a new approach to combat drug-driving which focuses on both greater enforcement and establishing rehabilitation courses to reduce reoffending.
“The evidence shows that those taking equivalent drink-drive courses are almost three times less likely to reoffend than those who don’t.
“Ministers must consider expanding similar courses to those with drug-driving convictions.”
While police do not need a reason to stop a vehicle, they must have a reasonable suspicion that the motorist is under the influence of drugs before asking them to submit to a drug test.
D.tec International warned last year that drug-driving has overtaken drink-driving as the primary concern in many areas. Ean Lewin, managing director of the drug and alcohol testing business, said many drivers don’t appreciate how long substances can stay in their system or that police forces now have roadside testing capabilities.
The business has also warned that fleets need to act. In some parts of the UK, over half of those caught drink- or drug-driving are doing so on their way to work or while driving for work purposes.
Earlier this month, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood expressed an interest in technology that could speed up the prosecution of drug-driving offenders.
Speaking in response to a parliamentary question from Andrew Snowden MP, Greenwood said that a saliva-based testing system already used in countries such as Australia and France could be adopted in the UK.
D.tec International, which supplies DrugWipe kits to UK police forces, said there was an urgent need to reform the current “slow and ineffective” system, which relies on blood samples for laboratory confirmation.
According to D.tec, drug drivers often remain on the roads for up to six months before facing prosecution due to delays in the existing process.
