Compared with other European countries, motorists in the Netherlands drive less frequently after drinking alcohol. But the number of Dutch people driving under the influence of drugs is increasing steadily.

European research has found that Dutch people often take cannabis or amphetamines, commonly known as speed, before sitting behind the wheel. The study in the Netherlands was conducted by the Institute of Road Safety Research SWOV.

While the number of deaths resulting from drunk driving has decreased from 30 to 20 percent in the past ten years in the Netherlands, there are more fatalities from the combination of alcohol and drugs.

Researchers want driving under the influence of drugs to be made illegal.