New figures show massive rise in drug driving

Drink driving offences in Britain fell by 5.8% last year. But in the same period, drug driving offences rose by 13.5%. This worrying new trend was highlighted by the AA, which analysed figures for the past 12 months.

Nearly 27,000 (26,924) motorists were found guilty of drug-driving last year while there were 40,477 drink driving prosecutions.

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “It is massively worrying that drug driving is becoming more prevalent. While it is good that police forces are catching and prosecuting offenders, it is of great concern that more drivers are willing to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.”

The biggest rise in drivers found guilty was for vehicle tax offences, with a 29.1% increase leading to more than 128,700 drivers being convicted. The most common motoring offence taking up the courts’ time was for speeding, where 276,107 drivers sat in the dock, with 213,997 of those being found guilty.

Elsewhere, 146,831 drivers were convicted of either using (93,936) or keeping a vehicle (52,895) without valid motor insurance. A further 12,597 were punished for driving while disqualified. Also of note were the 82,810 sentenced for withholding driver details when requested, up 2.5%.

Cousens commented: “Drivers arguing their case in court are likely to lose. Overall, the figures show the harsh reality that the vast majority of drivers sat in dock are then convicted. As well as the sanction given in court, those found guilty may find it difficult and expensive to find motor insurance in the future.”