‘Britain’s decade-long drug-driving epidemic could be adding further pressure to already beleaguered A&E departments across the country’, according to IAM RoadSmart.
The charity has analysed DfT statistics to discover that there were almost 2,500 drug drive related casualties in 2021, representing a rise of more than 260% since 2012.
IAM RoadSmart also points to ‘worrying reports’ that, due to ‘inefficient testing protocols’, which requires blood samples to be taken by a healthcare practitioner, some police officers are resorting to bringing drug drive suspects to A&E departments to take a sample.
At a time when hospitals are facing record waiting times, it says this is placing extra pressure on NHS nurses and doctors.
According to the charity, the issue has also been felt in the courts, with Government figures showing that the number of drug driving convictions continues to rise, reaching 12,500 in 2019.
It adds, nearly half (44%) of the reported convictions in 2019 were perpetrated by repeat offenders, with many of these cases occurring within the same year.
IAM RoadSmart also fears that the problem is set to deepen, pointing to the findings of a survey in which one-in-10 respondents stated that they have driven, or been a passenger in a vehicle where the driver has been under the influence of illegal drugs.
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at IAM RoadSmart, said: “With cases surging and attitudes as they are, Britain’s drug-drive picture is a bleak one.
“IAM RoadSmart has already proposed a smart package of solutions to help address this issue, including: developing a dedicated drug-drive course, prescription reform and for the government to finally release the outcome of its own drug-driving consultation.
“If these are actioned, we might finally see progress made on this critical road safety issue before more lives are tragically lost.”
Comment on this story