New analysis of DVLA data has revealed the alarming scale of repeat drug driving offending in the United Kingdom, with more than 12,300 motorists accumulating three or more drug driving convictions over the past eleven years.
The figures, obtained by the RAC through a Freedom of Information request, show that 12,391 drivers have accrued three or more DG10 endorsements for driving or attempting to drive whilst under the influence of drugs above specified legal limits since 2014. That number is five times greater than the 2,553 drivers who accumulated the equivalent number of repeat drink driving convictions during the same period. In total, 41,422 licence holders were convicted of drug driving on more than one occasion over the eleven years covered by the data.
The scale of reoffending
The figures include some striking individual examples. One driver has accumulated 18 separate drug driving convictions, while another has 17. A number of other motorists have between 12 and 14 convictions each. In total, 32 drivers have 10 DG10 endorsements on their record, 38 have 9, and 94 currently hold 8 drug driving offences.
Overall, 72,662 motorists have at least one DG10 conviction recorded against their driving licence. Of particular concern is the finding that 4,131 of those convictions were accrued by drivers holding only a provisional licence, meaning they had not yet passed their driving test when they offended.
What is a DG10 endorsement?
A DG10 endorsement is recorded on a driver’s licence when they are convicted of driving, or attempting to drive, with a controlled drug present in their system above the legal limit. This applies both to illegal drugs such as cannabis and cocaine, and to certain prescription medicines including morphine and diazepam, where specified blood concentration thresholds are exceeded. DG10 endorsements remain on a driver’s record for eleven years.
Current penalties and calls for reform
A conviction for drug driving in England and Wales currently carries a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, a criminal record and a potential custodial sentence of up to six months. Despite these penalties, the RAC’s analysis suggests they are not acting as a sufficient deterrent against reoffending.
Rod Dennis, RAC senior policy officer, said: “While it’s drink-driving that tends to attract most of the headlines in the UK, these figures show just how much of a problem the more ‘under-the-radar’ issue of drug-driving is becoming. Thousands of drivers on the road today have been caught for drug-driving more than once. Drug-driving reoffending rates dwarf those of drink-driving, which suggests that current penalties aren’t effective in preventing some drug-drivers from repeating their crimes and putting everyone at risk. Introducing a national drug-driving rehabilitation scheme, similar to what is in place for drink-driving, could also help to drive down reoffending. Our analysis highlights some extreme examples, including drivers accumulating up to 18 separate drug-driving convictions, and the fact that more than 4,000 drivers with just a provisional driving licence have accrued DG10 endorsements. The Government has committed to tackling this growing problem as part of its road safety strategy, including reviewing the penalties and mandatory training offenders receive, as well as considering new powers to immediately suspend the licences of drivers caught. Other countries such as Australia already routinely use roadside saliva testing of suspected drug-drivers, and we urgently need a similar system in the UK.”
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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.
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