One-in-10 drivers admit to drug-driving

New research suggests that 10% of motorists have driven in the 24 hours after taking illegal drugs.

The findings, from an IAM RoadSmart survey of more than 2,000 drivers, also found that one-in-seven respondents (14%) would not stop a friend or family member who was planning to drive after taking illegal drugs.

Cannabis was the most widely used substance of those who confessed to driving while under the influence of drugs, with one-in-20 (5%) admitting to consuming the drug before driving a vehicle.

The next most popular substance was cocaine, followed by ecstasy (MDMA) and speed (amphetamine), according to the survey.

The road safety charity’s findings come as the number of drug-driving incidents has reached record highs in the UK, with the Department for Transport (DfT) reporting that drug-related collisions and casualties have surged by over 260% in the past decade, with 44% of these offences being committed by previous offenders.  

Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “Our research offers a sobering insight into how Britain’s drug epidemic is rearing its ugly head on our roads. 

“Illicit drugs can profoundly impair a motorist’s judgement, reaction times and alertness while driving, and some of the effects can last for days after a drug has been taken. As can be seen in the DfT statistics, this is causing havoc on the nation’s roads.”

The findings come in the wake of IAM RoadSmart’s Safety Culture Report, which studies UK motorists’ driving attitudes and behaviours on key issues over time, which discovered that 58% of motorists believe that driving while under the influence of drugs is a bigger problem compared to three years ago.

The number of drug-driving incidents has reached record highs in the UK, with the Department for Transport (DfT) reporting that drug-related collisions and casualties have surged by over 260% in the past decade, with 44% of these offences being committed by previous offenders.  

Grieg continued: “With nearly half of the offences being committed by previous offenders, and casualties increasing year-on-year, it is about time that the Government took urgent action to address this issue before more lives are tragically lost.

“And while drug use is a wider issue in the UK, we would strongly urge people who may have taken something not to get behind the wheel and create a dangerous, and potentially fatal, situation.”

IAM RoadSmart has recently called on the government to reform its approach to tackling Britain’s drug driving problem by proposing changes to the prescription process, developing a dedicated rehabilitation course and finally seeing an outcome to its own drug-drive consultation.