DRUG 24: Roads Policing Conference

Project EDWARD participated in DRUG 24, a conference primarily for roads policing officers organised by D.tec International. The event was held in Warwickshire on the 8th and 9th May 2024

Overview of the Drug Driving Problem in the UK

Drug driving, defined as operating a vehicle under the influence of controlled substances, is a significant issue in the UK. The problem is complex and multifaceted, involving legal, social, and health-related aspects.

There has been a notable increase in drug driving incidents in recent years. In 2020, police recorded 12,391 drug-driving offences, a significant rise from previous years. By 2021, this figure had increased to 19,206 offences.

Research indicates that a substantial number of drivers may be under the influence of drugs. A study from 2020 revealed that around one in 20 drivers tested positive for drugs during roadside checks .

The most commonly detected drugs among drivers are cannabis and cocaine. These substances are often found during routine traffic stops and roadside checks.

Some drivers misuse prescription drugs such as benzodiazepines and opioids, which can also impair driving ability.

Drug driving contributes to road collisions and fatalities. It’s estimated that drug-impaired driving could be a factor in more than 200 fatal road collisions in the UK each year.

Drugs can impair reaction time, coordination, and judgment, leading to increased risk of accidents. Even small amounts of certain drugs can substantially impair driving ability.

Unlike alcohol, for which there is a clear legal limit and reliable breathalyser technology, detecting drug impairment is more complex. There are often limited resources available for drug testing. The costs associated with drug-testing kits and the time required for laboratory analysis can strain police resources and lead to offences being ‘timed out’ because results take too long to come through.

At the symposium, Project EDWARD heard from the following contributors:

Commander Kyle Gordon

PE hears from Commander Gordon, Metropolitan Police, about the difficulties of delivering on the requirement – central to the current NPCC roads policing strategy – of ‘changing minds’ and improving driver behaviour.

Ean Lewin

Around 50% of all police roadside drug-driving detections fail because of problems and delays with the requirement to obtain an evidential blood sample which then needs to be sent away to a laboratory for analysis. In this short clip, Project EDWARD hears from Ean Lewin, Managing Director of D.tec International, on why it’s in the best interests of road safety for police to use saliva-based evidential drug testing at the roadside.

Wilfried Sooth

Find how saliva confirmation for drug-drivers can save vast amounts of police time. Project EDWARD heard from Wilfried Sooth from Securetec.

Insp Gavin Dixon

Project EDWARD hears from Insp Gavin Dixon from Merseyside Police about its approach to drug driving and the record number of convictions his team have secured recently.

Dr Elizabeth Box

Project EDWARD heard from Dr Elizabeth Box of the RAC Foundation about how education fits into the bigger picture when it comes to keeping young drivers safe.