Speeding most common motoring offence as drug driving convictions soar

There was a 13.5% increase in drug-driving convictions last year, with 26,924 drivers found guilty of the offence, new analysis from the AA suggests.

Figures from the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) show that recorded drug-driving convictions were 11.5% less than prosecutions for the offence.

Speeding remains the most common offence, with 213,997 convictions last year, which was only marginally higher than the previous year and 22% less than the number of prosecutions brought.

MoJ figures for drink-driving, meanwhile, showed that there were 47,357 prosecutions and 40,477 convictions.

While the statistics are not considered a good indicator of conviction rates, they show that the biggest rise in drivers being found guilty were for vehicle tax offences, a 29.1% increase leading to more than 128,700 drivers being convicted.

Elsewhere, 146,831 drivers were convicted of either using (93,936) or keeping a vehicle (52,895) without valid motor insurance. A further 12,597 were punished for driving while disqualified.

Also of note were the 82,810 sentenced for withholding driver details when requested, up 2.5% and another clear message from the courts.

Ministry of Justice court data 2022 - 2024

Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for the AA, said: “It is massively worrying that drug-driving is becoming more prevalent.

“While it is good that police forces are catching and prosecuting offenders, it is of great concern that more drivers are willing to get behind the wheel under the influence of drugs.”

He concluded: “We fear that these figures may not show the true levels of motoring crime on our roads.

“A reduction of cops in cars means some drivers are tempted to misbehave as they feel they can get away with it.

“Similarly, cameras can play a vital role in bringing cases to court, but they cannot stop a driver in the act and preventing something far more tragic.”