Drug driving convictions growing faster than drink driving

The Government revealed drug driving is more common than drink driving as it pledged to make it a 'social taboo'. The number for drug driving motorists prosecuted has doubled in two years to 13,700 in England and Wales.

The force has noted arresting more drivers under the influence of drugs, than drink. According to research by the Department for Transport, drug drivers are also more likely to be repeat offenders. This prompted Grant Shapps to demand a change, for drug drivers to be treated as severely as drink drivers.

Mr Shapps said: "Drink driving is now rightly seen as a social taboo by most of us in this country. If we are to make our roads safer, there is no room to be lax on drug driving."

The Transport Secretary announced a "call for evidence", proposing to ban convicted drug drivers from being behind a wheel until they have finished a rehabilitation course. The Government has been recommended to change the law, allowing courts to recover the costs of tests from those found guilty, as is the case with drunk drivers.

For every 100 drink offences, Merseyside (one of the UK's biggest forces) has prosecuted 108 drug driving offences. According to research by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, Merseyside's figures are nearly ten times the rate of the lowest-prosecuting force.

It was one of six forces with more than 0.5 drug-driving convictions per 1,000 of their population.
 

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