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South Kesteven revealed as drug-drive capital of Lincolnshire accounting for a quarter of last year’s 500-plus offences recorded by Lincolnshire Police




More than 500 drug-driving arrests were made by Lincolnshire Police last year - with over 25% of those coming from just one district.

In 2024 a total of 519 motorists were found to have substances in their system above legal limits.

Lincolnshire Police made more than 500 drug drive arrests last year
Lincolnshire Police made more than 500 drug drive arrests last year

South Kesteven accounted for more than a quarter (27%) of the drug drive arrests logged in the county’s seven districts last year, while almost half (49%) of the drug-drive arrests came from just two districts - South Kesteven and East Lindsey.

The lowest number of drug-drive arrests came in rural South Holland, where just 3% of arrests were made.

The number of drug-drive arrests per district in 2024 was: South Kesteven 129, East Lindsey 110, City of Lincoln 83, West Lindsey 57, North Kesteven 51, Boston Borough 39, South Holland 15.

Last year’s 519 drug-drive arrests was down on the 564 arrests made in 2023, but higher than the 499 made in 2022.

In 2021 the number was at 457 while a staggering 724 drug-drive arrests were made in 2020.

In total, 89% of the drug-drive arrests made last year were male, with 461 men and 57 women testing positive.

Meanwhile, 87 suspected drug or drink-drivers refused to give police a sample of breath, blood or urine last year.

Police do not hold information regarding the levels of reading given by drug drivers, nor were they able to provide a breakdown of which substances were most commonly found in those arrested.

However, some drivers could, for example, have more than one drug in their system when stopped.

There are eight illicit and eight prescription drugs on the list which could see you banned from driving, if caught with in your system.

While there is a zero tolerance approach to the eight drugs most associated with illegal use there are minimum limits set, at a level where any claims of accidental exposure can be ruled out.

A separate approach is taken to amphetamines that balances its legitimate use for medical purposes against drug abuse.

The eight illegal drugs are benzoylecgonine (a chemical found in cocaine), cocaine, cannabis, ketamine, LSD, methylamphetamine (also known as crystal meth), MDMA (also known as ecstasy) and heroin.

The eight medicinal drugs treated on a risk-based approach regarding specified levels are clonazepam, diazepam, flunitrazepam, lorazepam, methadone, morphine, oxazepam, temazepam.

“Not only does drink driving remain as a scourge on our roads, but so is drug driving,” a Lincolnshire Road safety Partnership spokesperson said.

“Whilst driving with illegal substances in your system has no place on our roads, you should also be aware of any other prescription or medication drugs that you may have taken and whether they impact your ability to drive safely.

“Roadside drug testing can be undertaken, but if you are presenting in an unfit state, then you may be arrested and further tests carried out at the police station to establish what may be affecting you.

“Therefore we would always advise that you need to ensure you are fit to drive when taking any medication.

”We would also remind those who indulge in such activity to remember that should you be caught or involved in a collision, then you will be liable to prosecution, potentially a long sentence of imprisonment and the consequences that has for you and your families, as well as others impacted by your poor decision making.

“So we would always say rather than indulge a little and risk a lot, just keep you, your families and others safe by making alternative arrangements to travel to your destination.”

Some totals in the data do not match that of the total number of arrests made. This is because some arrests are made out of force bounds and some logs did not state the areas where an arrest was made.



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