Police are “more concerned” about islanders driving under the influence of drugs than alcohol amid a reduction in drink driving arrests this year.
In a scrutiny panel hearing yesterday, Home Affairs Minister Mary Le Hegarat said there had been an 18% reduction in drink driving charges in the first part of this year compared to the same period last year – with 57 arrests in 2025 compared to 69 in 2024.
It comes after data published in April this year showed that alcohol-related road collisions doubled between 2023 and 2024, with the number of incidents increasing from 10 to 20.
But police chief Robin Smith warned that driving under the influence of drugs is currently more of a concern to the force – as it is harder to identify and potentially more widespread than alcohol impairment.
“I’m more concerned about that [driving under the influence of drugs] than I am about alcohol, because it’s harder to detect,” explained Mr Smith.
“There are some studies in the UK where more [drivers] have been under the influence of other substances than alcohol.”
The scrutiny panel also heard that a law change would be required to introduce and use new roadside testing technology.
But, despite the current machine being over 40 years old, Mr Smith said it is “really good”.
The police chief also specifically cited the deaths of Dean and Charlie Lowe in August 2023 as an example of the consequences of drink driving.
“How anybody can drink drive after that tragedy is a concern,” he said.
Dylan Pounds was jailed for 15 years by the Royal Court in December after being found guilty of causing the death of the two victims by dangerous driving.
The court heard that Pounds had consumed nine pints of lager and had been driving at more than twice the speed limit at the time of the fatal collision, and that he did not stop at the scene but continued driving.
Following a change to the Road Traffic law this year, failing to stop and report an accident and to provide assistance to injured people following a serious or fatal injury will become a standalone offence.
Mr Smith noted that many drink and drug driving charges result from anonymous tips from the public, and the police rely on community vigilance to help keep the roads safe.
“It is more peer pressure that is going to be more effective than actual enforcement,” he added.