UK: high drug-driving reoffending rates prompt calls for rehabilitation scheme

New analysis from motoring organisation the RAC, based on Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) data obtained through a Freedom of Information request, has shown that drivers caught drug-driving in the United Kingdom are around five times more likely to reoffend than those caught drink-driving. The findings come as ETSC continues its work on drug-driving regulation across Europe, most recently at a seminar in Madrid on 28 April.

Over 11 years, 12,391 drivers received at least three drug-driving endorsements, compared with 2,553 with three or more drink-driving endorsements over the same period. In total, 41,422 licence holders had been convicted of drug-driving more than once, and 72,662 had at least one drug-driving conviction on their licence, including 4,131 learner drivers.

RAC senior policy officer Rod Dennis said the figures showed that current penalties were not preventing some drug-drivers from repeating the offence, and called for a national drug-driving rehabilitation scheme along the lines of the existing scheme for drink-driving. Drink-drivers in the UK can have their disqualification period reduced if they complete an approved rehabilitation course, an option that is not currently available for drug-driving offences.