New figures have revealed a dramatic increase in drug-driving reoffences across England and Wales, prompting calls for urgent reform to how such cases are handled.
According to data obtained by the road safety charity IAM RoadSmart via a Freedom of Information request, reoffending among drug-drivers has risen by more than 134% in just four years. In 2024, authorities recorded 3,193 cases of repeat drug-driving offences, up from 1,363 cases in 2020.
Reoffenders Make Up Nearly Half of All Cases
The statistics also show that repeat offenders now account for 44% of all drug-driving cases. One individual was even reported to have 18 prior convictions related to drink and drug-driving at the time of their latest offence.
IAM RoadSmart says these figures highlight major concerns with current enforcement processes, particularly delays in confirming drug-driving results.
Delays Undermine Enforcement, Say Campaigners
Under the current system, police can conduct roadside drug screening using saliva swabs to detect substances like cannabis and cocaine. However, even if a driver tests positive, officers must then send a blood or urine sample for lab analysis before prosecution can proceed.
In some cases, this can take up to six months, during which time the driver is often allowed to remain behind the wheel.
William Porter, Policy, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at IAM RoadSmart, said the current process is failing to keep pace with the growing scale of drug-driving offences.
“The fact that those who have tested positive to a roadside test are allowed to get back into the driving seat pending a laboratory blood test shows that the system is broken,” he said.
Public Support for Immediate Licence Suspensions
In a survey conducted by IAM RoadSmart in August 2025, 82% of 2,053 UK motorists supported giving police immediate powers to suspend a driver’s licence following a positive roadside drug test — even before court proceedings.
Porter added that the proposed changes in the Government’s new road safety strategy are a step in the right direction. These include:
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Police powers to suspend licences pending test results
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Faster and more reliable drug-testing methods
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The introduction of a national drug-drive rehabilitation programme
Drug-Driving Convictions Continue to Rise
The wider issue of drug-driving remains on the rise. In 2024, 20,072 people in England and Wales were sentenced for drug-driving offences — an increase of 143% compared to 2017.
Unlike drink-driving, there is currently no national rehabilitation scheme in place for those convicted of drug-driving. By contrast, those disqualified for drink-driving for 12 months or more are often offered a rehabilitation course that can reduce their ban by up to a quarter.
Studies show that those who attend drink-drive rehabilitation courses are up to two and a half times less likely to reoffend than those who don’t.
IAM RoadSmart is now urging the government to extend similar schemes to drug-drivers, with an emphasis on mental health, addiction support, and clear treatment pathways.
“Drug-drivers often need support to break the pattern of reoffending,” Porter added, “by changing their mindset and habits, understanding how drugs impair driving, and the serious consequences for themselves and others.”
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About Freeman & Co.
Freeman & Co. are a specialist firm of road traffic and criminal defence solicitors based in Manchester but with nationwide coverage.
Freeman & Co. specialise in a wide variety of road traffic cases, ranging from drink driving, speeding and mobile phone offences, to name but a few.
The firm was created by Nick Freeman, who has been dubbed “Mr Loophole” by the press for his technical legal ability and robustly challenging the prosecution.
Nick is well regarded as an expert road traffic lawyer and has successfully represented many high profile clients for a variety of motoring offences as well as criminal offences.
The firm of Freeman & Co. embodies the way Nick works, with minute attention to detail and challenging the prosecution at every turn.
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