The RSA believes drug-driving detections will continue to rise for the foreseeable future as enforcement levels go up.
The number of drug-driving incidents has increased by 11% in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same period in 2020.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA), An Garda Síochána and the Medical Bureau of Road Safety (MBRS) are highlighting the dangers of drug driving ahead of the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. https://t.co/2TzSN2EHfj pic.twitter.com/AZb9mESs5J
— RSA Ireland (@RSAIreland) April 1, 2021
Drug-Driving Detections On The Increase Despite Level 5
997 incidents of drug-driving were detected by Gardai from January to March this year.
That's up from 899 for the same period last year, which wasn't spent entirely in lockdown.
RSA spokesperson Brian Farrell says more enforcement is leading to greater numbers getting caught:
"It's not so much that there's an increase in the number of people drug-driving."
"I think the ability of the Gardai to enforce drug-driving laws, greater enforcement levels in general."
"Along with greater devices and training for Gardai who are able to detect drug driving is what's really at the heart of this."
There was an 11% increase in drug driving incidents in the first three months of 2021 compared to the first three months of 2020. Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug detected while cocaine use accounts for between 30% - 40% of specimens provided #RoadSafety @RSAIreland
— Geraldine Herbert (@GerHerbert1) April 1, 2021
Rising Trend Goes Back Years
The rising trend follows that of last year, where there were just under 4 thousand detections.
That's a 37% increase on 2019, again despite restrictions being in place for a large portion.
Brian Farrell thinks this rising trend will continue as more technology becomes available to Gardai, as well as more people getting the message.
He says the attitudes toward speeding, seatbelts and mobile phones didn't change overnight.
But he added, "I see no difference here."
Cannabis remains the most prevalent drug in samples.
So that makes up around 3 out of every 5 detections.
