A new study has revealed that just over half (51%) of the motorists pulled over for suspected drug-driving are failing roadside drug tests.
The research, by road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, received data from 31 police forces in the UK through a Freedom of Information request. The numbers showed the results of roadside drug testing in each force’s area.
Figures from 17 of the 31 police forces indicated that one in every two motorists tested positive during roadside testing in 2023. Across these constabularies, in the first seven months of 2024, 49% of drivers tested positive.
The highest number of failed tests was recorded by Police Scotland, which reported 526 fails in December 2023 and January 2024. According to the study, the next-highest numbers were recorded by Greater Manchester Police (397) and Surrey Police (368).
William Porter, policy manager at IAM RoadSmart, said: “The fact that one in two motorists are failing roadside drugs tests shows that the message about the dangers of drug-driving is not getting through. We urgently need a new approach to combat drug-driving which focuses on both greater enforcement and establishing rehabilitation courses to reduce reoffending.
“The evidence shows that those taking equivalent drink-drive courses are almost three times less likely to reoffend than those who don’t. Ministers must consider expanding similar courses to those with drug-driving convictions.”
IAM RoadSmart also suggests that the true number of drug-drivers is likely to be much higher than the numbers detected. This is due to the fact that some police forces only started recording data for the roadside swab test for cannabis and cocaine in 2023, despite its introduction in 2015.
The study says that police officers don’t need a reason to stop a vehicle but must have a reasonable suspicion that the driver is under the influence of drugs before asking them to submit to a drug test.
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