Since 2015, 14,000 drug-drivers have been convicted in England ... but in Scotland that figure is just 74
BY JUDITH DUFFY
JUST 74 drivers have lost their licences in Scotland since 2015 for driving under the influence of drugs, raising fears that many motorists who are flouting the law are failing to be detected. New figures obtained by the Sunday Herald from the DVLA show 22 drivers were disqualified for drug-driving in Scotland in 2015. That increased to 42 in 2016 and by February this year 10 disqualifications had taken place.
In contrast, 14,103 drivers were disqualified for the same offence in England and Wales over that time. Legal driving limits for drugs – in a similar way to alcohol – were introduced south of the Border in March 2015, along with roadside “drugalyser” tests.
Statistics also show disqualifications for drink-driving in Scotland are more proportionately in line with south of the Border – at 6,397 in Scotland compared to 75,976 in England and Wales over the past two years.
Campaigners have warned there is an urgent need for Scotland to introduce new laws on drug-drivers with concerns there could be a “significant number” of motorists who are evading detection.
Gary Rae, campaigns director for road safety charity Brake, said: “Judging from the figures in England and Wales, we could be looking at a significant number of drivers in Scotland who are freely on the road, having taken drugs.
“Scotland led the way in 2015 by lowering their drink-drive limit and we would urge them to build on this and implement new laws on drug-driving. There’s evidence that the law is working in the other nations of the UK and will work in Scotland.”
Neil Greig, director of policy and research at road safety charity IAM RoadSmart, said: “Yet again these figures show that Scottish police are missing out on a valuable weapon in the fight to make our roads as safe as possible.
“In England, roadside drug detection equipment and clear drug limits have allowed police to remove thousands of impaired drivers and crack down on drug-related crime.
“The system is now tried and tested and just waiting to be used north of the Border. We simply don’t understand why the Scottish Government is drag- ging its heels on such an important road safety issue.”
Anyone who is found guilty of drug-driving can face a 12-month disqualification from driving, as well as a fine and prison sentence.
It is not possible to tell from the figures whether there are fewer drug-drivers who are being caught by police or less successful prosecutions.
Police in Scotland have to rely on a “field impairment test” at the roadside – involving a series of co-ordination tests – for anyone suspected of driving under the influence of drugs and prosecutors also have to prove a person’s driving was “impaired” by drugs to secure a conviction.
Last week, a man was jailed for almost a year after being found under the influence of drugs behind the wheel. Wayne Evans, 34, from Bellshill, was found by police slumped over the wheel of a car, unable to stay awake and slurring his words. After passing an alcohol breath test he admitted to officers he was addicted to GHB, commonly known as the “date rape” drug.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: “The Scottish Government prioritised lowering the drink-driving limit in 2014 as evidence showed such a policy could help save lives.
“Scotland has longstanding legislation used by Police Scotland, prosecutors and our courts that makes it an offence to drive while being impaired due to drugs.
“We are considering very carefully whether evidence shows that specific drug-driving limits should be introduced in Scotland and this consideration will include evaluation of the evidence of the impact of drug-driving limits that have been introduced in England and Wales.”