The Ministry of Justice has released new data revealing that 2021 was the most dangerous year on record for speeding, dangerous driving, and drink and drug driving.
Every day, the figures showed, there were 206 drink or drug driving offences committed for a total of 75,159 offences, with convictions for drug driving trebling over the last five years.
In 2017 there were 7,683 drug driving convictions across the UK, with that figure rising to 27,962 by the end of 2021.
Drink driving convictions also increased, although by a smaller margin of 13%, with 2021 seeing 33,742 cases before the courts. This increase, in turn, has led to a 7% rise in deaths due to drink driving over the year. The figures showed that 1,558 people were killed in 2021 due to collisions involving drink drivers – an average of four deaths every day.
The MoJ also confirmed that convictions for dangerous driving have also been increasing over the last decade, recording the highest figure of 5,951 convictions since 2011. 2021 also marked a 9% increase in convictions for causing death by dangerous driving.
Arrests and convictions for causing serious injury by dangerous driving have also seen an increase: in 2013 there were just 45 convictions for the offence, with a record of 604 recorded in 2021. Prosecutions for careless driving also rose by an alarming 78%.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, roads lead for the National Police Chiefs’ Council, said:
“Since the introduction of roadside screening devices for drug driving in 2015, we have seen an increase in prosecutions for this offence.
“I am disappointed that people choose to do such a selfish and dangerous thing and I am determined that we will continue to arrest offenders for these crimes every day.
“Our policing goal remains to save lives and prevent harm by continuing to improve our national information, intelligence and professional knowledge around drink and drug driving and dangerous driving.
“Innocent people die on our roads every year due to the selfish actions of those who drive while intoxicated through either drink or drugs. The families and loved ones of those killed have no choice but to deal with the devastating consequences of such a tragic and avoidable death.”
About Carl Millar
Carl Millar is a highly respected and experienced drink driving solicitor who is the principal of Millars Solicitors.
Carl has been a specialist in road traffic law for many years and represents clients from all walks of life and all over the Country. He is well known for the dogged defending of his clients and robust cross examination of police officers and exert witnesses.
With a wealth of expertise in motoring law Carl is well placed to provide advice over the phone and deal with all road traffic matters in a calm and professional way.
Getting in contact with Carl and Millars Solicitors is really easy. You can call him FREE on 0800 999 5535, or click here to send a confidential message.
