Drivers face potential prison time after more than 12,300 were caught drug-driving on three separate occasions within a decade, according to new DVLA and RAC data. The figures show a worrying rise in repeat offences, with five times the number of repeat drink-driving cases over the same period.
Alarming Statistics
Since 2014, 12,391 drivers have accrued three or more DG10 endorsements for driving or attempting to drive under the influence of drugs above specified legal limits. Overall, 41,422 licence holders were convicted of drug-driving more than once in the last 11 years, putting them at risk of potential prison time in the worst scenarios.
DVLA data shows that 72,662 motorists had at least one DG10 drug-driving conviction on their licence. This includes 4,131 drivers who accrued endorsements while holding a provisional licence before even passing their test.
Current Penalties
Current penalties for drug-driving include driving bans, fines, a criminal record, and potential prison time, the RAC has warned. 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.”
Reoffending Rates
“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.”
“Our analysis highlights some extreme examples, including drivers accumulating up to 18 separate drug-driving convictions, and the fact that more than 4,000 drivers with just a provisional driving licence have accrued DG10 endorsements.”
Government Action
“The Government has committed to tackling this growing problem as part of its road safety strategy – including reviewing the penalties and mandatory training offenders receive, as well as considering new powers to immediately suspend the licences of drivers caught. Other countries such as Australia already routinely use roadside saliva testing of suspected drug-drivers, and we urgently need a similar system in the UK.”
