Report shows drug-drive repeat offending is on the rise

Instances of drug-drive reoffending have surged by more than 134% in the last four years revealing a system that is ‘broken and in need of urgent reform’, according to victims and road safety campaigners.

A Freedom of Information (FOI) request submitted to the Ministry of Justice by IAM RoadSmart shows that drug-drive re-offending rates are surging: in 2024 there were 3,193 instances of drug-driving reoffending – compared to the 1,363 recorded offences in 2020.

Nearly half of drug-drive offences (44%) are committed by a reoffender, according to Government data. One person committed the offence when they had 18 previous drink and drug-driving convictions.

When police suspect a person of drug-driving, they will conduct a roadside screening test such as a swab which can test on the spot for cannabis and cocaine.

They may also perform a Field Impairment Test (FIT) and ask the driver to perform physical tasks to assess coordination such as walking in a line or standing on one leg. A person will be arrested if they fail the roadside test, FIT, or if the officer still suspects driving is impaired by drugs. The offender will then be taken to a police station and asked to provide a sample of blood or urine for laboratory analysis.

One of the reasons that reoffending is rife could be because of delays of up to six months to process blood tests, which means people who have failed a roadside test are allowed to continue to drive.

The backlog has been acknowledged in the Government’s new road safety strategy, which proposes giving police powers to suspend the driving licences of those suspected of committing a drug-driving offence.