Drug driving is now deemed “shockingly prevalent,” with some police forces claiming it has overtaken drink driving in frequency. According to Thames Valley Police, their December crackdown campaign revealed stark figures—236 drug driving arrests compared to 196 for drink driving. Officers report that, on any given day, it is more common to detain drugged drivers than those over the alcohol limit.

The issue of drug driving became a specific offence a decade ago, but authorities say challenges in testing and prosecution have hindered substantial progress. Roadside drug wipe tests only detect cannabis and cocaine, and officers must confirm any positive result with a blood sample at a police station. This process is resource-intensive and can delay prosecutions for months. A backlog of lab results has occasionally allowed drivers to remain on the roads for weeks, or even months, after committing the offence.

Road Safety Advocates Demand Stronger Action on Drugged Driving

Government figures highlight the growing scale of the problem. The proportion of road fatalities linked to drugs has nearly doubled since the law’s introduction, rising from 11% to 19%. Advocates now call for more efficient measures, such as roadside saliva testing kits used in countries like Australia and France, which deliver faster results and allow for immediate licence suspensions.

A drugged driver, already on bail for a previous offence, killed Tim Burgess, making him one of the victims of this crisis. Tim’s sister, Linzi Stewart, is campaigning to change the law, urging the UK government to introduce automatic licence suspensions for drivers arrested for drug or drink driving. Her petition has garnered over 150,000 signatures so far.

While the Home Office maintains that blood tests ensure strict evidential standards, families and campaigners argue the current system leaves too many lives at risk. Calls to streamline the drug driving prosecution process are growing louder as the issue continues to escalate across the country.

Source: itv