Nearly 50% of Drug Tests Returned Positive
Result
Edmund King, AA President, said: “Drug driving is often a
hidden killer, so we support these efforts”.
New analysis by The AA reveals an increase in roadside breath and
drug tests conducted by police forces in England and Wales in the
run up to Christmas.
The most recent data* shows that in December 2023, there were
just under 50,000 (49,812) breath tests conducted with 4,716
recorded as positive, failed, or refused. This compares to just
under 40,000 the year before, according to DfT figures**. Test
rates are back to pre-COVID levels.
|
|
Number of tests
|
Positive or refused tests
|
Positive or refused (%)
|
|
2023
|
49,812
|
4,716
|
9.5
|
|
2022
|
39,627
|
4,451
|
11
|
|
2021
|
37,067
|
3,840
|
10
|
|
2020
|
36,615
|
3,737
|
10
|
|
2019
|
48,804
|
5,210
|
11
|
|
2018
|
57,185
|
5,210
|
9
|
Department for Transport figures estimate nearly 7,000 people
were killed or injured in drink-drive related collisions in 2021.
Research shows that if you’ve had a drink, you’re 13 times more
likely to be involved in a fatal crash than if you were sober.
The figures also show there is targeted testing of suspected drug
drivers. Officers carried out 6,846 drug tests in same period. Of
that 48.5% (3,320) tested positive.
These figures come as police chiefs call for the power to
disqualify drink or drug drivers instantly at the roadside.
In total 14% of tests showed a positive for drink or drugs, with
1,589 people charged with drink or drug driving. 84% of drink or
drug driving offenders were male with 74% 25 years old or over.
Drivers who get behind the wheel with too much alcohol in their
system risk a prison sentence, being banned from driving, and
face a fine of up to £2,500 if found guilty. Other penalties can
be found here: Drink-driving penalties - GOV.UK
(www.gov.uk)
Edmund King, AA President, said “We applaud the
police for the targeting of drug drivers over the Christmas
period. The fact that the police carried out 6,846 drug tests
with 48.5% of those testing positive shows good use of targeting.
Drug driving is often a hidden killer, so we support these
efforts.
“However, there does seem to be another problem and ‘trend’ now
which is the use of laughing gas (nitrous oxide) whilst driving
which has led to several deaths*. We know the police are aware of
this issue, but it is difficult to police unless the culprits are
caught in the act. Our plea to all drivers is to never drive
after taking any sort of drugs or indeed when over the alcohol
limit. Drink, drugs, and driving should never be mixed.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
NPCC Christmas Drink
Drugs
Other PACE powers,
year ending March 2023 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Reported drinking and
driving: data tables - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Regional breath test stats can be found here (tab bt_02) -
breath-test-statistics-police-powers-and-procedures-year-ending-31-dec-2022.ods
(live.com)
*Video shows driver
inhaling laughing gas and using phone before crashing and killing
teenager | ITV News Granada
Death crash group were
drinking and inhaling nitrous oxide, friend tells police |
Evening Standard
