Here are some interesting preliminary results from the Victorian Driver testing trial:
"Road safety authorities are shocked by the early result of Victoria’s random roadside drug testing after one in 50 drivers tested positive for illegal drug use.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon said today she was surprised by the outcome of the first six months of the year-long trial.
More than 7,000 drivers were tested from mid-December last year to the end of June, with 145 testing positive for methamphetamines, cannabis, or both.
The strike rate of one in 50 compares to one in 250 drivers typically caught for drink driving by random roadside breathalyser tests.
In another alarming statistic, 34 of the drugged drivers were behind the wheel of large trucks involved in the heavy transport industry.
“Even the experts didn’t quite predict that there would be this many people who drive with drugs in their system,” Ms Nixon said.
“Victoria has a serious problem of people who drive with drugs in their system.”
Ms Nixon said drug users often claimed their driving was not impaired but they were wrong.
She said the early trial result had strengthened the case for further random roadside drug testing in Victoria.
Other statistics released at the Royal Automobile Club Victoria (RACV) traffic enforcement forum, in Melbourne today, included:
• of the 7,207 motorists tested, 5,054 were driving cars with 2,153 in trucks.
• 111 car drivers found to be under the influence of drugs (one in 45) and 34 truck drivers (one in 63).
• drugged car drivers ranged in age from 18 to 54 years, but the vast majority (68 per cent) were in their 20s.
• drugged truck drivers were aged 26 to 51, and 59 per cent were in their 30s.
• more drivers tested positive for methamphetamine (also known as ecstasy) than cannabis, but this was attributed to a more advanced testing system for methamphetamine.
Inspector Ian Cairns, in charge of the trial, said officers had targeted some drivers who were leaving dance or “rave” parties, but he said the results were indicative of a broader community trend.
“It was random, conducted seven days a week ... and very disturbing from a road safety point of view,” he said.
The results suggested drink driving programs may be having an effect, Insp Cairns said. “There are less people drink driving now than there were 10 to 15 years ago, however, the evidence also shows people using illicit drugs has increased, especially over the past four or five years,” he said.
“(And) the incidence of people using illicit drugs and driving has increased.”
The penalty for a first offence for drugged driving is three license demerit points and a $307 fine." Source - AAP
This is the trial that the ATSB report mentions. Interesting results in that 1 in 45 driving cars returned positive results. The 1 in 63 from heavy vehicles does not surprise me given the recent media coverage of the problems in that industry. My understanding is that more states are looking at the trial in Victoria with the view to introduce them in their respective jurisdictions.
What is abundantly clear is that society in general is becoming increasingly intolerant of drug use - it doesn't matter what transport mode it is.
Tinkicker....