Since 1979, drink-drive related deaths and serious injuries have fallen from almost 10,000 to around 1,700 in 2023, a drop of approximately 83%, showing significant progress. More recently, the police have become just as concerned about an epidemic of drug-driving on our roads. In July, the Department for Transport published new data showing that casualties in reported road collisions where at least one deceased driver had an ‘impairment drug’ detected had almost doubled from 117 in 2014 to 213 in 2023.
How does this fit with fleets?
Our 2024 Road Safety Report showed that those drivers routinely doing more than 10,000 miles per year (the majority of whom said they drove as part of their work) were twice as likely to have driven after using class A drugs such as cocaine or ecstasy compared to the average driver.
What has the UK Government done and will there be more action?
Since 2015, drug-driving laws have changed to make it easier for the police to catch and convict drug drivers. It’s an offence to drive with certain drugs above a specified level in your blood – just as it is with drink-driving. Separately, eight medicinal (prescribed) drugs were added to the list, including diazepam, morphine and methadone – all of which can seriously impair driving.
Trials are also ongoing on the effectiveness of drug-drive rehabilitation courses, similar to the drink-drive related courses offered by IAM RoadSmart.
In December 2024, following a parliamentary question relating to drug driving, the Minister for the Future of Roads Lilian Greenwood MP said “the Department has begun work on a new Road Safety Strategy, the first in over a decade. The Department will share more details in due course”, strongly hinting that action against drug-driving will be considered as part of the new updated strategy, now planned for this Autumn. Only last week, Ministers seemingly mooted plans to introduce saliva tests for drugs.
Fleets can be one step ahead
Fleet operators may wish to get ahead of the curve by checking their policies in relation to testing drivers and reviewing medical backgrounds of staff. For example, are any road-based staff using particularly strong painkillers for a medical condition, or is there a high proportion of drivers routinely working at anti-social hours and who may be drawn to illicit drugs they perceive help keep them awake?
Businesses have undergone and will be undergoing lots of change: Changes to NIC rates, and the Employment Rights Bill that will bring in new rules on workers. By reviewing policies now, there might be one less headache in the future and significant steps will be taken in improving safety among fleet drivers.
Nicholas Lyes (IAM RoadSmart Policy and Standards Director) – August 2025
For the best safety enhancements in your team, IAM RoadSmart offers on-road training, online fleet risk management and classroom learning sessions. To find out what we can do for your organisation, get in touch.
