Drug driving on increase says survey

As many as 44 per cent of drivers said they felt less safe on the roads this year then ever before.

Citing a major dip in the money the Government is spending on road safety campaigns, the RAC called for a reintroduction of these campaigns “as soon as possible”.

The survey showed the number of 17- to 24-year-olds who drive after taking drugs has gone up from 5 per cent to 9 per cent in the past 12 months. As many as 13 per cent of 17- to 24-year-olds had driven, or been a passenger in, a car when the driver was under the influence of drugs in the past year.

Also, there had been a 50 per cent increase in the last year in the number of 25- to 44-year-olds using smartphones while at the wheel.