Legal News

New figures from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) show that since the law on drug driving changed in March, more than 400 motorists are being arrested for the offence every month.

The data was obtained by IAM under a Freedom of Information request and applies to all police forces across England and Wales.

The Daily Mail reports that there is a “wide variation” in arrests between different police forces, however – with arrest rates in some police forces involving “scores” of offenders, while other police forces have arrested no drivers for drug driving.

In May, a Daily Mail investigation revealed that six out of ten drivers arrested on suspicion of drug driving gave a positive test result.

New laws on drug driving came into force on 2 March – and AIM obtained data for arrests between 2 March to the end of May.

The highest number of drug driving arrests occurred in London, with the Metropolitan Police arresting 214 motorists in the period 2 March to 11 May.

The next highest arrest rate was in Northumbria, with Northumbria Police arresting 97 motorists for drug driving.

Also in the top five police forces for drug driving arrest rates were Cheshire police with 70 arrests, Sussex police with 58 arrests and south Yorkshire police with 55 arrests.

However, figures for from Leicestershire, Warwickshire and Gwent police revealed they had yet to make any arrests for drug driving.

The data for these forces may have been skewed by a time lapse between Mail reporters ringing the forces directly for data and the official data collected, however.

The Warwickshire and West Mercia police alliance told Mail reporters that 28 out of 67 drug tests carried out – or 42% – had led to arrest.

However, as yet, not all police forces are using new drug testing kits – which cost £18 each, compared with the much cheaper breathalyser testing kit for alcohol, which costs a few pence.

The Mail’s own research revealed that the highest hit rate for drug driving arrests was in South Yorkshire, where 48 out of 85 roadside tests proved positive.

The Met Police in London were second in the Mail’s own research, with 75 out of 168 tests proving positive – a success rate of 45%.

After the Met Police was the Warwickshire and West Mercia alliance.

Cannabis was the most commonly detected drug found in samples taken from motorists stopped for suspected drug driving.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

“I want to remove dangerous drivers from our roads, including those who think it’s acceptable to drive under the influence of drugs. Our new law has made it easier for police to secure convictions and will help save lives.”

In 2014, just 5% of motorists stopped for drink driving failed a breathalyser test, police figures show.

Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers

Duncan Lewis crime lawyers are available 24/7, 365 days a year to advise at any stage of a charge involving drink driving or drug driving, including charges also relating to dangerous, careless or reckless driving.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide – including more than 20 offices across London and the southeast. A Duncan Lewis criminal defence lawyer can usually reach a police station or Magistrates’ Court to advise on criminal charges within an hour.

For expert legal advice on all motoring or drugs related offences, contact Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.

For 24/7 help at a police station, call the Duncan Lewis Emergency Hotline on 020 7275 2036.