In Scotland drug driving claimed more than 100 lives in eight years, according to recent figures.
Transport Scotland data shows drugs were a factor in 48 out of 903 fatal collisions between 2015 and 2020, amounting to 5% of all cases.
A combination of alcohol and drugs was a factor in a further 34 fatal collisions, bringing the total to 82 where banned substances were found, bringing the total percentage where drugs were involved to 9% overall.
According to data, 293 people died in road smashes between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2022, with 22 or 7.5% of those involving a driver or rider impaired by drugs. The combined figures put the death toll for drug driving at at least 104 over the period.
The news comes as Police Scotland warn drug driving continues to see significant growth in terms of positive roadside results.
Data shows drug driving cases are rising annually, reflecting both increased enforcement and growing prevalence, with many drivers and riders flouting warnings about the risks to them and other road users.
A force report shows that In 2022/23 there were 2522 positive roadside tests, rising to 2775 in 2023/24, and 3305 in 2024/25.
To date there have been 1542 roadside tests for 2025/26, with Police Scotland projecting this will rise to around 3700 tests by the end of March.
Experts say factors fuelling the upsurge in drug driving include increased accessibility around buying illegal drugs faster and easier, as well as the lack of stigma around the offence compared to drink driving.
According to road safety charity IAM Roadsmart, their research shows one in two motorists pulled over on suspicion of drug-driving in Scotland failing roadside drug tests.
Road Safety Manager for Scotland Stewart Mackie said: “This shows that the message about the dangers of drug-driving is not getting through.
“We urgently need a new approach to combat drug-driving which focuses on both greater enforcement and establishing rehabilitation courses to reduce reoffending.
“The evidence shows that those taking equivalent drink-drive courses are almost three times less likely to reoffend than those who don’t.”
A major escalation of Scotland’s war on drug driving will see around 8400 roadside samples tested annually at a cost of almost £1.5million in a bid to put the brakes on the upward trend.
Police Scotland, alongside SPA Forensic Services and Crown Office & Prosecution Service (COPFS), is rolling out an expansion of drug-wipes to local officers.
The ambitious plans to crackdown on the drug driving menace will see more than 300 extra frontline officers trained to carry out specialist roadside tests currently only deployed by road policing cops.
Training of selected officers in Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire has been completed, with the incremental rollout continuing in April and October next year before concluding in April 2027, by which time 315 frontline cops will have undergone specialist training.
Police Scotland say the plans will have a “positive impact on road safety” by enabling more cops to ramp up drug testing and put the brakes on more offenders.
They estimate around 700 samples would be sent for testing monthly which equates to 8,400 annually at a cost of more than £1.4million.
Chief Superintendent Hilary Sloan, head of Road Policing, has said drug misuse is a “societal issue” that’s not going away and “clearly we have a responsibility to deal with those individuals who do take drugs and drive”.
She said: “Being able to use roadside drug wipes has significantly enhanced our ability to detect drug drivers and keep the public safe.
“Police Scotland is committed to our role of enforcement and we will take action against people who take drugs and drive.”
