Drug driving a big worry on the roads

THIRTY SIX per cent of drivers test positively for drugs, this figure goes up to 50 per cent when referring to drivers involved in accidents.

The alcohol statistics have not changed and remain at 2 per cent of the total of drivers tested, going up to 5 per cent of drivers involved in an accident.

In a statement released by Maria Segui, director general of the DGT (national traffic authorities), she expressed her worry at the rise in drivers using drugs, especially when referring to the accident statistics which she qualified as “very worrying.”

So far this year there have been more than 10,000 routine stop and tests for drugs which is already double the amount performed in 2013.

As far as alcohol tests go, there have been a total of three million preventive, routine stop and breathalyse tests which have found a total of only 2 per cent of drivers continue to drive drunk.

Segui commented that it seemed almost impossible to get the alcohol figures any lower despite the huge amount of both routine and surprise roadside tests performed.