Concern at 700% drug-driving increase in Ireland

The number of motorists who have failed roadside drug tests has increased by 700% since the introduction of testing in Ireland since April 2017. The release of the data prompted road safety advocates to urge they receive more resources to combat drug-driving, fearing that drug-driving could become as deadly as drink-driving.

Susan Gray, the founder of the PARC Road Safety Group, said the data showed that drug-driving was a greater problem than the government initially thought.

Justice Minister, Charlie Flanagan, said that 90 drivers had tested positive for drug use during roadside tests since the regulations of the Road Traffic Act, passed in 2016, became effective in 2017.

The devices used at roadside traffic stops test saliva for the presence of marijuana, heroin, cocaine, and benzodiazepine drugs. Drivers are prosecuted if they fail a subsequent drug test. Only one of the 90 drivers who tested positive for drug use since April 2017 passed a subsequent drug test.

April 2017 recorded the lowest incidence of drug-driving, with only three drivers testing positive for drug use. The number rose dramatically to 22 in December 2017, an increase of 700%. The December figure is equal to one driver being suspected of driving while impaired by drugs every 32 hours.

The second-highest incidence of drug-driving occurred in August 2017, when 15 drivers tested positive for drug use. Flanagan said that garda traffic police officers had conducted 52,395 mandatory drug checks since the roadside drug testing program began in April.