The DGT has never imposed so many penalties for drugged driving

I’m going to make a confession: I’ve gotten hooked on Road Control. One day, YouTube put a 15-minute short video in front of my eyes. The algorithm hit home because right now I am bingeing on a product where the novelty is almost non-existent and is repeated like the worst fast food.

And the surprise with each video is: none. Time and time again we attend a breathalyzer test where one, two or several drivers are “caught” under the influence of alcohol. “Have you had anything else,” the voice of the agent on duty sounds already tired. Then, drug controlnew positive and more problems for the unwary.

If the premise has not yet convinced you, I will tell you that from time to time there are new features. Some driver has caused an accident and fled. Another skips the breathalyzer test and tries to flee. But the end is usually the same: positive for alcohol and/or drugs.

Does it sound repetitive? Yes. But it is. At least that’s what the DGT data says, that in 2025 drug tests were carried out on more than 144,000 drivers. Of them, almost half took home a fine for having consumed some type of substance.

More than 70,000 complaints

The figure is rescued by our colleagues from Motorpassion. Last year the DGT punished 70,717 people for having tested positive in an anti-drug test. The figure comes in response to a parliamentary question from the Popular Party.

It detailed that last year 144,346 roadside drug tests were carried out. That is, almost 50% of the people who faced these controls tested positive. The figure is much higher than in previous years. In 2025, 122,938 tests were carried out and then 64,314 positives were detected.

Control on the roads has been increasing, they point out in Europa Press. According to the information detailed by the DGT, the data in the last five years are as follows:

  • Year 2021: 123,211 tests and 41,067 sanctions.
  • Year 2022: 58,126 tests and 42,103 sanctions.
  • Year 2023: 101,927 tests and 50,002 sanctions.
  • Year 2024: 122,938 tests and 64,314 sanctions.
  • Year 2025: 144,346 tests and 70,717 sanctions.

The fine for testing positive In a drug test it is 1,000 euros and the subtraction of six points on the driving license. In addition, the driver faces the withdrawal of his license from one to four years and a prison sentence of three to six months, a fine of six to 12 months and community service of 31 to 90 days if he commits a crime against traffic safety, is a repeat offender or if he has been involved in an accident.

It must also be remembered that in a drug test, unlike an alcohol test, the amount of substance present in the body is not taken into account. If the control detects that it is present, the driver is sanctioned. This is important to take into account since some substances leave traces in the blood for days after being consumed.

Photo | DGT

In Xataka | Drunk driving is not enough to “arrest” someone: the Constitutional Court acquits a woman despite testing positive

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