How to Report Drug Driving

Drug driving is a persistent problem in the UK. In the latest available figures, 120 drivers who died in collisions were over the drug-driving limit, and there are currently 72,662 motorists with a drug-driving conviction on their licence.

If you see someone you suspect is drug-driving, it’s vital to report it. We’re going to look at how to report drug driving through both emergency and non-emergency reports, where you can do it, and what to expect after reporting.

 

What Counts as Drug Driving?

The law around drug-driving is simple. It’s illegal to drive if you’re unfit to do so because you’re using drugs. Also, it’s illegal if a certain level of illegal drugs is in your blood, even if they don’t seem to be affecting your ability to drive.

It’s not just illegal drugs that apply. If you are using legal prescription drugs and they are impairing your driving, then you are also breaking the law.

Some prescription drugs that can leave you at risk of a drug-driving conviction include:

• Diazepam
• Codeine
• Clonazepam
• Methadone
• Temazepam

When taking prescription drugs, it’s always best to check with your prescribing doctor about how they may affect driving. RAC has a full breakdown of the threshold limit for illegal and legal drugs that police will prosecute for.

For the full advice on drug driving, including potential penalties, head over to the official government page.

 

Signs Someone May Be Drug Driving

There are indications you can be on the lookout for that may point towards someone drug driving.

• Car is moving erratically, slowing down and speeding up for no reason.
• Strange lane position, drifting within it or crossing lane markings often.
• Reacting slowly to changing traffic lights, other vehicles, hazards and the traffic.
• When stopped, the driver is busy fiddling with things in the car, is distracted, or you can see they look unsteady or are having trouble focusing.
• Taking corners too wide or too tightly.
• Braking unnecessarily.

These signs do not always prove drug-driving and may be down to other factors, but it can be worth reporting it as the driver could still be a danger on the road.

 

How to Report Drug Driving

Last year there were 21,791 people convicted of drug driving offences in England and Wales. Behind every offence there is usually someone who has reported it.

If you make a report, you may be saving lives, so it’s important to know the ways in which you can get dangerous drivers off the road.

Reporting to the Police

The most obvious way is to report it to your local police force.

If the situation you have or are witnessing is immediately dangerous, you should call the emergency response line of 999. If what you have witnessed is not an emergency, perhaps you saw someone you believe was on drugs get into a car, then you can call the non-emergency police line, which is 101.

There is also the option to go to a police station in person, or many police force websites have an online form you can fill out to report a suspected drug-driving case.

Reporting Anonymously via Crimestoppers

Not everyone is comfortable with contacting the police, for several reasons. Luckily, there are alternative and reliable ways to report drug driving.

Crimestoppers is an independent charity that allows people to anonymously report crimes. These reports are then passed on to the police, who then act on them.

The charity launched in 2005, and between April 2025 and 2026, over 800,000 people have contacted them.

You can make completely anonymous reports. If you suspect someone of drug-driving, you can contact Crimestoppers by calling them at 0800 555 111 or use their online form.

What Information You’ll Need to Provide

With any police report, it’s helpful to provide as much relevant information as possible, along with describing how their behaviour has made you suspect an offence is being committed. When it comes to drug-driving, you should aim to report a few key details, including:

• Car registration number
• Description of the vehicle
• Location of the driver
• Direction the driver is travelling
• The time when you witnessed the offence

If you can be accurate, a description of the driver is also helpful. Also, if you know them, information like their name, address, and usual places they go can also help the police.

 

What Happens After a Report Is Made

If you reported an emergency and are on the scene, you may witness the aftermath. Police may perform a roadside test on the suspect and then arrest, doing a further drug test at the station.

If you make a report in another manner, or the driver has driven away, there’s a chance that you’ll not find out what happened or be contacted. This is likely if you make an anonymous report. Officers may not always be specifically dispatched to find drivers, but all officers in the area will be made aware to be on the lookout.

In the case that you make a report that results in a conviction, you may be required to give a statement and even appear in court later on, but this is not always the case.

No matter what, making a report is still a worthwhile, responsible action even without a guaranteed update, as drug-driving is dangerous and costs lives.

 

Supporting Someone With a Drug Problem

Many people know drug-drivers. If someone you know is drug-driving, you should talk to them about it as it is dangerous and could be a sign of them struggling with substance abuse.

It may feel like a betrayal, but you should talk to them about their drug-driving. Approach them gently and suggest that they could seek professional drug support if necessary. But make sure to clearly get across that you don’t think their drug-driving is acceptable.

Allowing someone in this position to continue isn’t supporting them. Drug-driving endangers them as much as it does other people, so don’t feel ashamed about making a report if it doesn’t feel like there’s another option.

 

Worried about Drug-Driving? Addiction Advocates Can Help

Drug-driving is a serious offence. Not only does it cost lives, but it’s also a sign of a deeper substance misuse problem.

If you’re struggling with drug use or are worried about someone else, contact Addiction Advocates for confidential advice on your next steps.