HOW SAFE ARE OUR ROADS?

With an explosion in drug-driving, we ask why so many risk it all and get behind the wheel while under the influence...

- By Louise Baty

One more won't hurt... We've all heard the excuses when it comes to having a drink then driving home. The dangers of drink-driving are now well reported but lately there’s something else causing our roads to be even more deadly – drivers under the influence of drugs.

According to new research, the number of UK motorists caught drug-driving has soared by over 13% in the past 12 months.

LETHAL EFFECTS

While marijuana can impair judgement, slow reaction times and decrease coordination, stimulants like cocaine and methamphetamines can cause aggressive, reckless behaviour behind the wheel.

Tragically, drug-driving fatalities have risen 164% in the past decade, with cocaine and cannabis the most common drugs detected in drivers killed in car crashes.

‘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,’ says Jack Cousens from The AA.