There is a “drug-driving epidemic” on Britain’s roads, a charity warned, as it revealed new figures showing the number of offences has overtaken drink-driving for the first time.
Some 30,707 endorsements for drug-driving were added to licences in 2025, up 28% from 23,981 three years earlier, data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by IAM RoadSmart revealed.
That is compared with 29,981 endorsements for drink-driving last year, down 17% from 35,976 in 2022.
Drivers aged 17-24 received 18% of all drug-driving endorsements last year, despite them representing just 6% of licence holders.
The Department for Transport (DfT) described the findings as “deeply concerning”, while IAM RoadSmart called for “radical action” to tackle the issue.
The figures are based on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) statistics for DG10 and DR10 endorsements, which are issued to people in Britain convicted of driving or attempting to drive when above the legal limit for drugs or alcohol respectively.
It is illegal to drive if you are unfit to do so because you have taken legal or illegal drugs, or if you have certain levels of illegal drugs in your blood.
People caught drug-driving face a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine and up to six months in prison.
A drug-driver who reached a speed of 167mph while being pursued by police on the A55 near Bangor, North Wales on February 23 was sentenced on Friday.
Daniel Tunstead, 35, of Mond Road, Widnes was handed an eight-month prison term suspended for 12 months, and a three-year driving ban, at Mold Crown Court after admitting drug-driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at a previous hearing.
Latest DfT statistics show 74 people died in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2024 in which a driver being affected by drugs was recorded as a contributory factor.
The department committed to tackling drug-driving in its road safety strategy, published in January.
This included reviewing penalties and exploring alternative methods for evidence collection.
IAM RoadSmart called for police forces to be given the power to suspend a driver’s licence immediately after a failed roadside test, without waiting for a subsequent blood test to be analysed.
The charity’s director of policy and external communications, Nicholas Lyes, said: “It’s becoming clear that the UK is mired in a drug-driving epidemic, to the point where it may now be more of a threat on our streets than drink-driving.
“These figures demonstrate the need for radical action to support police forces and reduce harm to all other road users.
“The UK Government’s road safety strategy clearly outlines the intention to tackle drug-driving, but we need to start seeing action soon before more lives are needlessly lost.
“Educating people about the misconceptions of the impacts that drugs have on a person’s ability to drive is a start, but police should be given powers to suspend licences at the roadside for failing a drug swab test.
“In addition, it’s vital that we establish a national drug-drive rehabilitation programme.”
A DfT spokesperson said: “These figures are deeply concerning. Drug-driving is reckless, dangerous and ruins lives.
“Our first road safety strategy in a decade has consulted on new powers to suspend driving licences for suspected drug-drivers.
“We’re also modernising how we tackle drug-driving by exploring new forensic testing methods, including saliva or sweat samples, to ensure those who endanger lives on our roads face swift consequences.”
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