Drug-driving five times more common than drink driving
Drivers caught drug-driving on at least three occasions in the past 11 years is five times the number of those repeatedly caught drink driving.
According to RAC analysis of DVLA data, more than 12,300 drivers have been caught drug-driving three times or more since 2014. This compares to 2,553 drivers that have accrued three or more drink-driving convictions in this period.
The data also found that, overall, 41,422 licence holders were convicted of drug-driving more than once in the last 11 years with 72,662 motorists receiving at least one drug-driving conviction.
Shockingly, this includes 4,131 drivers who accrued endorsements while holding a provisional licence before they have even passed their test.
Rising problem
RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said: “While it’s drink-driving that tends to attract most of the headlines in the UK, these figures show just how much of a problem the more ‘under-the-radar’ issue of drug-driving is becoming. Thousands of drivers on the road today have been caught for drug-driving more than once.
“Drug-driving reoffending rates dwarf those of drink-driving, which suggests that current penalties aren’t effective in preventing some drug-drivers from repeating their crimes and putting everyone at risk. Introducing a national drug-driving rehabilitation scheme – similar to what is in place for drink-driving – could also help to drive down reoffending.”
