The number of motorists being caught driving whilst under the influence of drugs has soared by over 13% in the past 12 months, according to the AA. Ministry of Justice court statistics uncovered by the motoring organisation show big increases in drug-driving convictions – but they say the true extent of the danger on Britain’s roads could be far higher. The findings show that courts came down hard on drug-drivers who were caught last year, with almost 27,000 drivers found guilty of the offence in 2024, an increase of 13.5% on 2023, according to AA analysis of official statistics.
Recorded drug-driving convictions were 11.5% less than the number of prosecutions for the offence, while for speeding, the difference was 22% less. Officials say that whilst the statistics are not considered a precise indicator of conviction rates, the stark difference between the two levels suggests drug-drivers can expect the full weight of the law to land on them should they end up in court. The AA says this sends “a clear message” to anyone who fancies their chances of escaping prosecution and conviction for drug-driving or being caught in the first place
Similarly, drink-driving convictions numbered only 15% below recorded prosecutions. This ‘under the influence’ offence still dominates, with 47,357 prosecutions and 40,477 being sentenced.
Figures from the Ministry of Justice show that the biggest rise in drivers being found guilty were for vehicle tax offences, a 29.1% increase, leading to more than 128,700 drivers being convicted.
Elsewhere, 146,831 drivers were convicted of either using (93,936) or keeping a vehicle (52,895) without valid motor insurance. A further 12,597 were punished for driving whilst disqualified.
The most common motoring offence taking up the courts’ time was for speeding, where 276,107 drivers sat in the dock, with 213,997 of those being found guilty. Also of note were the 82,810 sentenced for withholding driver details when requested, up 2.5% and another clear message from the courts.
Of the two million court cases last year, almost half of those were for motoring offences, showing just how often drivers end up in the dock. The number of convictions was 81.5% of recorded prosecutions, pointing to very high likelihood of being found guilty, whether by a jury or magistrate.
Aside from the range of sanctions such as a prison sentence for the most serious of offences, being disqualified from driving, penalty points issued on the license and fines, drivers found guilty of any motoring offence put themselves at risk of finding affordable insurance. Drivers have to declare any motoring offences for at least five years when seeking motor insurance, and a guilty verdict could result in some insurers being unwilling to provide a quote, or if they do, the premium may be offered at a significant cost.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said: “It is massively worrying that drug driving is becoming more prevalent. While it is good that police forces are catching and prosecuting offenders, it is of great concern that more drivers are willing to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.
“Drivers arguing their case in court are likely to lose. Overall, the figures show the harsh reality that the vast majority of drivers sat in dock are then convicted. As well as the sanction given in court, those found guilty may find it difficult and expensive to find motor insurance in the future.
“We fear that these figures may not show the true levels of motoring crime on our roads. A reduction of cops in cars means some drivers are tempted to misbehave as they feel they can get away with it. Similarly, cameras can play a vital role in bringing cases to court, but they cannot stop a driver in the act and preventing something far more tragic.”
In March, former Casualty and Holby City actor Amanda Mealing pleaded guilty to drug-driving after being involved in a cocaine-fuelled three-vehicle collision on the A1175 near Hop Pole, Lincolnshire, on January 26 last year.
At a hearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court on March 14, she pleaded guilty to being over the drug-driving limit, having tested positive for cocaine and benzoylecgonine in a roadside test.
The 57-year-old, of Deeping St Nicholas, also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention.
The actress appeared in court under her married name of Amanda Sainsbury and was banned from the roads for 22 months.
She was fined £485 with an additional £400 in court costs and a surcharge of £194.
