The number of drivers that attended court for drug driving and speeding offences reached a record high in 2021.

Data, analysed by the AA, shows that as drivers returned to the roads in 2021, following a year of lockdowns and travel restrictions, the number of drug driving cases increased by 54% to 21,411. Speeding cases rose to 208,496 compared to 167,596 the year before.

Three other offences reached record highs last year: Causing serious injury through dangerous driving (793), dangerous driving (7,605) and drivers failing to supply information when required (96,801).

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “Our analysis shows a shocking return to the roads after the pandemic.

“With record highs of dangerous driving, drug driving and speeding, it is a timely reminder to every driver that being behind the wheel is a serious responsibility and that poor driving can have serious consequences.

“Drug driving has increased year-on-year since records began and while more Police Forces are carrying out roadside tests, it seems some people are willing to try and chance it. We need to put more focus on this issue and eliminate it completely from our roads.

“We hope this is a short-term blight in the figures and that driving standards have improved when the 2022 statistics are announced.”

A total of 638,044 motoring cases were taken to court last year with 565,440 people found guilty, showing that 85.5% of motoring related court cases end with a conviction.

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