One fifth of young motorists admit to drug-driving

One fifth of young motorists tested in a new survey admit to driving under the influence of illegal drugs, such as cocaine, marijuana and ecstasy, every day.

The study was carried out in the UK, but Irish driving instructors say the statistics are similar here.

Young people in Ireland are now twice as likely to be driven by someone high on drugs as by someone who has consumed too much alcohol.

The study finds that driving while high makes motorists super-confident behind the wheel but destroys their skill and accuracy.

It also revealed that almost 70% of young motorists mistakenly belief that drug-driving is safer than drink-driving.

Manager of the RAC School of Motoring, Ailbhe Sharpe said people do not seem to be aware that driving on drugs can be a death sentence and 46% believed they were unlikely to get caught drug-driving.