Deaths from 'drug-driving' at record high

Deaths and injuries caused by drug drivers have rocketed to terrifying new levels.

Shock figures reveal a record 1,853 vehicles were involved in crashes involving casualties caused by motorists high on illegal substances last year.

These accidents led to 2,893 people being injured or killed - more than 50 every week - compared to the tally ten years ago which was 1,059.

Last year the death toll was 134, compared with 55 ten years ago.

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "Frighteningly, these statistics show there is a clear upward trend when it comes to serious collisions involving drug-drivers.

"RAC research suggests drivers are wholeheartedly supportive of tougher measures for anyone caught drug-driving, with stronger sentences, more roadside testing and immediate disqualification all cited as solutions for enforcement.

"But it's clear there's also a big job to
do to try to encourage people from doing it before they get behind the wheel in the first place.

"We hope the Government will set out clear practical measures to reduce instances of this crime in its forthcoming road safety strategy."

The figures emerged after police chiefs warned that drug-driving is now more prevalent than drink-driving.

Police are now routinely deployed with high-tech equipment so drivers can be tested for high levels of legal and illegal drugs in much the same way that people can be breath tested for alcohol.

Cocaine, heroin, cannabis, ketamine, amphetamines and ecstasy can all be picked up by the police tests as well as common prescription medication such as methadone, diazepam and morphine.

Separate figures for the number of motorists on drugs who have been caught show almost 62,000 people have a drug offence endorsement, with men in their 20s most likely to be caught.

Laws to outlaw drug-driving were passed in 2015 after concerns that an increasing number of crashes were caused by people affected by illegal or prescription drugs.