High numbers of drivers have tested positive for drink- or drug-driving in a national policing operation.

Almost 9,000 drivers were caught drink- or drug-driving in the Operation Limit campaign across England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Newly published figures from the National Police Chiefs’ Council show that almost 9,000 drivers were caught drink- or drug-driving in the Operation Limit campaign across England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The data reveals that the number of roadside drug wipes increased on previous years (6,273 in 2022 compared with 4,668 in 2021) – and a total 53.6% (3,361) of those drivers tested positive.

A total of 52,667 roadside breath tests were undertaken with 10.2% (5,352) of motorists testing positive, failing the test or refusing to undertake the test.

More than three-quarters (79%) of offenders who tested positive for drink or drugs were male and 77% were 25 years old and over.

The six-week campaign ran from 21 November 2022 to 1 January 2023 as part of the annual crackdown over the Christmas period. A total of 66,014 vehicles were stopped during this period.

Jo Shiner, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for roads policing, said: “Driving under the influence of drink or drugs is entirely unacceptable. It is one of the fatal five causes of road collisions that results in thousands of deaths each and every year.

“Every time someone makes the decision to get behind the wheel after drinking alcohol or taking drugs, they take their own life into their hands and risk the lives of many others. As police officers we see the pain and devastation experienced by individuals, families and communities who must deal with the awful consequences of those taking these selfish actions and we see it far too often.”

Earlier this year,  IAM RoadSmart called on transport ministers and MPs to finally address Britain’s growing drug-driving crisis.

While the Government has said the issue has been on its radar since 2011, IAM says there’s been no signs of improvement since 2012. Collisions and casualties have gone up by over 260% over the last 10 years, and convictions are increasing every year, reaching nearly 28,000 in 2021.

A survey by the road safety charity of more than 2,000 motorists discovered that:

• One in 10 motorists have driven, or been a passenger in a vehicle where the driver has been under the influence of illegal drugs
• 14% of people would not stop a family member or friend who was planning to drive while under the influence of drugs
• 6% of people would be comfortable with driving while under the influence of drugs

The research also found that drug-driving problems also apply to commonly used prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs such as antihistamines, painkillers and anti-depressants:

• One in three motorists do not know maximum dosages of prescription medication before it will impact their ability to drive
• One in five rarely, or never, check whether prescription medication will impact their ability to drive
• One in four drivers are unlikely to avoid driving after taking OTC medications that warn against using heavy machinery, such as antihistamines or cold and flu remedies

IAM RoadSmart is calling for a four-pronged approach to take action, including an announcement from the Government on its consultation on ‘Protecting the public from repeat drug-driving offenders’, work to separate rehabilitation schemes, the development of a rehabilitation option for drug-driving, and a campaign to raise awareness and advise on some of the potential outcomes that prescribed medications can have on a driver’s ability behind the wheel.