Drug driving numbers in West Yorks spark awareness campaign

Calls to raise awareness of drug driving are growing as new figures demonstrate its growing prevalence and harm.

Over 800 people have been arrested for drug driving in the past year in the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. In the last five years, 20 people have been killed and another 180 people have been seriously injured by drug drivers.

Across all England and Wales, 21,791 people were convicted of drug driving in 2025.

Ruin lives

West Yorkshire has now partnered with the Department for Transport to launch a campaign to highlight the consequences of the offence.

Carol Coleman’s son was killed in 2022 after being hit by a cannabis-using driver. She called the numbers “shocking”, adding: “People need to realise the impact it has and what the consequences are for drivers that choose to drive when they’ve got drugs in the system”.

Driving on drugs can ruin lives, it is senseless and selfish.

Roads Minister Justin Madders commented: “Everyone should feel safe on our roads. It is deeply upsetting to see that so many people in West Yorkshire have been killed or seriously injured as a result of motorists driving under the influence.”

He added: “Driving on drugs can ruin lives, it is senseless and selfish. This campaign sends a vital message that will keep our roads safer for everyone that uses them.”

Lives lost

Claire Gray, Roads Policing Inspector for West Yorkshire, said: “Drug driving, like drink driving is easily avoidable.

“One life lost on our roads is one too many and the consequences and effects are huge. Please think about your decisions and actions and what can come of a result from a poor decision.”