On 24 November 2025, the UK Department for Transport announced the launch of a nationwide drug‑driving awareness campaign under the government‑backed THINK! initiative, marking the first campaign of its kind in about ten years. The campaign, titled “Don’t put drugs in the driving seat,” is intended to highlight the risks and consequences associated with driving under the influence of illegal drugs.
According to the announcement, the campaign is part of ongoing efforts to address a rise in drug‑related collisions and fatalities on England’s and Wales’s roads. Department for Transport figures indicate that around 90 % of drivers impaired by drugs in collisions are male, with four in every ten of those involved aged between 17 and 30. Data analysed from national collision records also show a 70 % increase in driver fatalities where drugs were present between 2014 and 2023.
The campaign uses online and digital adverts, including a short film shot entirely from a driver’s perspective, to depict how a single decision to drive after taking drugs can lead to a sequence of outcomes such as a crash, arrest, court appearance, and imprisonment. These adverts use police data to identify and focus on drug‑driving “hotspots” across England and Wales.
Advertising efforts are scheduled to run throughout December 2025 across multiple platforms, such as social media channels, online video and audio services, and out‑of‑home placements. The campaign messaging will run alongside increased police enforcement operations during the festive period.
Statements included in the government announcement noted that the campaign forms part of broader work related to the forthcoming Road Safety Strategy, intended to improve safety on Britain’s roads through a combination of awareness‑raising and enforcement activity.
Officials cited survey results showing that a notable share of young adults hold attitudes suggesting driving after using drugs is acceptable if they feel “fine,” and that many report knowing others who do so; these findings were referenced as supporting the need for renewed public information efforts.
The campaign launch was accompanied by comments from national police representatives noting nearly 27,000 annual convictions for drug driving, and emphasising continued enforcement to address impaired driving offences during the campaign period.
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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.
If you are facing a road traffic matter or criminal offence and need the services of Freeman & Co. please call on 0161 236 7007.
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Freeman & Co Solicitors
8 Oxford Court
Manchester
M2 3WQ
Tel. 0161 236 7007
