Dorset’s Police and Crime Commissioner has called for tougher action to tackle drug driving after new figures revealed a rise in deaths linked to motorists under the influence of drugs.
Recent national reports show that fatalities involving drug driving have overtaken drink driving in some areas of the UK. The data follows earlier calls from Commissioner David Sidwick for stronger penalties for those convicted of driving under the influence.
He said too many people still treat drug driving as a lesser issue. “Some people wrongly believe that driving after using drugs, for instance smoking cannabis before driving, is harmless,” he said. “The truth is it puts their lives, their children’s lives, and the lives of other road users at risk.”
The Department for Transport report shows that one in ten fatal crashes involved someone impaired by illegal substances, up from just over six per cent last year.
In Dorset, police made 554 drug driving arrests last year, compared with 486 the year before and 286 in 2022. The Commissioner said the figures underline why stronger laws are needed to deter offenders and protect road users.
He added that Dorset Police and partners are continuing to focus on prevention, enforcement and education to make local roads safer for everyone.
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