Drug-driving offences up by 13%, AA reports
New figures have revealed that the number of drivers found guilty of drug-driving offences rose by 13.5% last year.
AA statistics found that 26,924 drivers were convicted of the offence during 2024.
Emphasising the hard line taken by courts when ruling on drug-driving, the number of convictions were just 11% down on prosecutions. This compares to a 22% difference between drink-driving prosecutions and convictions, with 47,357 drivers prosecuted and 40,477 sentenced.
Meanwhile, figures from the Ministry of Justice showed that 128,700 drivers were found guilty of vehicle tax offences, which is a 29.1% increase on the previous year.
Elsewhere, 146,831 drivers were convicted of either using (93,936) or keeping a vehicle (52,895) without valid motor insurance, and a further 12,597 were punished for driving whilst disqualified. Speeding remained the most common motoring offence though, with 276,107 drivers prosecuted and 213,997 convicted.
All told, driving offences accounted for nearly half the two million cases that went before UK courts last year.
Drug driving offences
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.
“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.
“We fear that these figures may not show the true levels of motoring crime on our roads. A reduction of cops in cars means some drivers are tempted to misbehave as they feel they can get away with it. Similarly, cameras can play a vital role in bringing cases to court, but they cannot stop a driver in the act and preventing something far more tragic.”
