'Drug-driving epidemic' warned as offences surpass drink-driving
New figures show a 28% increase in endorsements added to licenses in 2025.
A charity has warned there is a “epidemic” on Britain’s roads, as new figures reveal that the number of drug-driving offences has surpassed drink-driving for the first time.
Data obtained through a Freedom of Information request by IAM RoadSmart revealed that 30,707 endorsements for drug-driving were added to licences in 2025, marking an increase of 28% compared to the 23,981 recorded three years earlier.
This contrasts with the 29,981 endorsements for drink-driving recorded last year, a decrease of 17% from the 35,976 noted in 2022.
A disproportionate number of young people received endorsements, with those aged 17-24 accounting for 18% of drug driving offences, despite only representing 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 statistics are based on data from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for DG10 and DR10 endorsements. These are issued to people in the UK found guilty of driving or attempting to drive while over the legal limit for drugs or alcohol, respectively.
It is against the law to drive if you are impaired due to the consumption of legal or illegal drugs, or if your blood contains certain levels of illegal drugs.
Those convicted of drug-driving face a minimum one-year driving ban, an unlimited fine, and up to six months in prison.
One drug-driver , who reached a speed of 167mph while being pursued by police on the A55 near Bangor, North Wales was sentenced on Friday.
Daniel Tunstead, 35, was handed an eight-month prison term suspended for 12 months, and a three-year driving ban after admitting drug-driving, dangerous driving and driving without insurance at a previous hearing.
Latest statistics show 74 people died in crashes on Britain’s roads in 2024 where a driver being affected by drugs was recorded as a contributory factor.
IAM RoadSmart have previously 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.”