STARTLING figures have revealed a massive increase in the number of people being arrested and charged for drug driving in West Yorkshire.

The data, released through a Freedom of Information request made to West Yorkshire Police, covers the period from 2010 to 2020.

The figures for people being arrested for drug driving are: 2010 - 137; 2011 - 149; 2012 - 86; 2013 - 59; 2014 - 74; 2015 - 118; 2016 - 391; 2017 - 490; 2018 - 662; 2019 - 1,422; 2020 - 2,005. 

That shows an increase of 1,363.5 per cent over the course of 10 years.

The figures for people being charged rose from 61 in 2010 to 1,005 in 2020 - an increase of 1,547.54 per cent.

Figures for those arrested and charged for drink driving are not as stark, but still reveal that thousands of people are dangerously flouting the law every year, with a reduction of just 47.

In 2010, 3,148 people were arrested for drink driving, the highest number in the 10-year period and then followed: 2011 - 2,895; 2012 - 2,367; 2013 - 2,256; 2014 - 2,294; 2015 - 2,326; 2016 - 2,454; 2017 - 2,377; 2018; 2,463; 2019 - 2,928; 2020 - 2,848.

When looking at the totals for arrests and charges for drink and.or drug driving, there has been an increase in both from to 2010 to 2020. 

Arrests stood at 3,275 in 2010 and 4,741 in 2020, while charges stood at 2,376 in 2010 and rose to 3,104 in 2020, though reached their highest in 2019 when there were 3,184 people charged. 

Recent court cases have shown that drink and drug driving is an issue on Bradford’s roads.

Earlier this month, an intoxicated driver who tried to outrun the police in a high-speed chase after he had lost a front tyre was jailed for 18 months.

Sharaz Ali had drunk vodka and taken cocaine when he was pursued by two patrol vehicles and the police helicopter around residential streets in the city.

Ali, 35, of Main Street, Bingley, accelerated away from the police in a red Volkswagen Golf on Thornton Road, and was already under investigation for supplying cannabis and possession of cocaine and MDMA. 

The Recorder of Bradford, Judge Richard Mansell QC, said Ali had a complete disregard for the law as far as the rules of the road were concerned.

A spokesperson for West Yorkshire Police said of the figures: “Anyone caught drink or drug driving potentially faces losing their licence and being fined. 

“In some cases it may even result in a prison sentence.

“The use of drink or drugs can impair your driving ability and has also been found to be a contributory factor in fatal collisions, so we ask for all road users to look out for each other and be mindful of their own safety.”

They added: “West Yorkshire Police is committed to making our roads safer and since 2015 has used drug wipe tests, which enable our officers to check motorists for use of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine.

“It has also increased training across the force so more officers can use these wipes when stopping vehicles for checks.”
People can report drink or drug driving to West Yorkshire Police online at www.westyorkshire.police.uk/form/drink-drug-driving-reporting-form