Drug Testing Of Victorian Drivers

[dwyndorf]

MORE than 9000 motorists will be randomly tested for drugs in a world-first initiative by Victoria Police.

 

The test, which uses a saliva swab to test for cannabis and methamphetamine (or speed), is expected to hit the streets on July 1.

 

Like random breath-testing for alcohol, police will not need reasonable suspicion to drug-test drivers - a fact that sets Victoria apart from European countries where the test is done.

 

"This is unique legislation," said Inspector Martin Boorman.

 

The random drug-testing would be used as a public deterrent but, he said, police would particularly focus on drivers of heavy vehicles and areas where raves and dance parties take place.

 

Those who test positive will be charged with a traffic offence.

 

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/st...55E2862,00.html

 

Not happy about this, I've heard rumours that if you rinse your mouth with vinegar prior to driving you will pass the test. Does anyone know any foolproof way to beat the test?

 

dwyndorf

[Oz]

Just some more on this...

 

In a world first, Victorian police will start using saliva swabs to randomly test drivers for drugs.

 

Inspector Martin Boorman, head of Victoria Police's traffic and alcohol section, said the random drug testing would begin in a matter of weeks "as soon as possible after the tender for the technology to test drivers is finalised".

 

Police will test drivers for traces of cannabis and methamphetamine, known as "speed" and used by long-haul road transport drivers to stop them falling asleep at the wheel.

 

Methamphetamine is also sold in crudely cut street mixes of party drugs such as ecstasy. It stays in the system for up to eight hours.

 

The saliva swabs will also detect THC - the active metabolite in cannabis - which stays in the system for up to three hours after use.

 

The Victoria Police policy will be zero tolerance on both drugs.

 

"Research has shown both these drugs significantly reduce a driver's psycho-motor skills," Inspector Boorman said.

 

He said other police forces around the nation would be "watching pretty closely" to see how the Victorian initiative worked.

 

"It's also a world first in that it's a random test. That's the significant difference," he said.

 

Other countries already drug-test drivers but can only do so if they have come under "reasonable suspicion", Inspector Boorman said. The saliva test will take a little longer than the breath test drivers undergo for alcohol. It may be done at the same time or independently of breath testing.

 

Police have for some time sought powers to randomly drug-test drivers. The Bracks Government passed the legislation last December, to be enacted from July 1.

 

A 10-year study by professor Olaf Drummer, head of the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, has shown 20 to 26 per cent of drivers who died in accidents on roads in NSW, Victoria and Western Australia were affected by drugs.

 

"In the last three years there has been a significant climb in the (drug- affected) total in Victoria," Inspector Boorman said.

 

VIFM figures for 2001 show 22 per cent of Victorian fatalities were caused by drivers being under the influence of alcohol compared to 29 per cent who were drug-affected. Last year the figures rose to 27 per cent and 31 per cent respectively.

 

"Drugs and driving are becoming a real problem on the road, reflecting the increased use of drugs over the last 10 years," he said. "We're seeing more and more drug-related road trauma."

 

Police say there will be no need for blood samples to be taken from drivers affected by drugs unless - as is the case with alcohol breath testing - there is some reason a saliva swab cannot be provided.

 

The Bracks Government has fully funded the random drug tests on a 12-month trial basis.

 

By Michael Davis

Date: Fri, 28 May 2004

Source: The Australian

Contact: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/aus_letters.htm

Copyright: 2004 The Australian

Image copyright The Australian

[chief23]

  Not happy about this, I've heard rumours that if you rinse your mouth with vinegar prior to driving you will pass the test.  Does anyone know any foolproof way to beat the test?

According to a truck driver on ACA the vinegar thing works.

 

Chief

[LoveMeBucket]

yeah ive heard it works too.

[RevWolf]

so now i have to carry a bottle of vinegar in the car?

[bazza7]

Vinegar may be the go, but a scientist type friend suggests those Listerine gel strips may be enough to fuck the test.

We all need some advice on this one.

Any wonder people are leaving Vic. in droves! :angry:

[LoveMeBucket]

its coming to WA at the end of the year too

 

im gonna have to sell my car

[BlackBeauty]

The saliva swabs will also detect THC - the active metabolite in cannabis - which stays in the system for up to three hours after use.

Yeah bad news definately...no more seshes over at mates then the slow, slow drive home...

 

So what's the window period for MJ? 3 hours?

[Lucian]

well what i heard a copper say , was that it tested for THC 2-3 hours after smoking it , there was 3 levels od detection according to his report

 

pass

some detection but not a driving offence

fail

 

so from what i heard you have to be stoned to get done ,aka fail the test , but to get some kind of detection , is still bad , whose to say their not knocking on ya door the next day with a friggin warrant

 

Bloody Victoria had always been a Police State , tiz why i left 12 years ago , now im back here , im considering going back to the West

[LoveMeBucket]

so basically they dont care if your a stoner, only if your driving around stoned? but 2-3 hours is pretty long without a cone ::