Drivers 'more likely to be high than drunk'

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DRIVERS high on speed or cannabis are more than twice as likely to be found on the nation's roads compared to drink-drivers.

That's the preliminary finding of the world's first random roadside drug-driving test being trialled in Victoria.

 

And under current laws in Victoria, those drivers won't be forced off the road.

 

The first six weeks of the year-long pilot program found that one in every 103 motorists were driving with either methamphetamines and/or THC in their system, the active components in speed and marijuana respectively.

 

This compares with an average of one in 250 drivers found to be drink-driving - that is, with a blood alcohol level of 0.05 per cent or more, or more than 0.00 per cent if a probationary driver.

 

Eighteen of the 1855 drivers tested since the trial began in mid-December were found to have one or both drug components in their system. Three were truck drivers.

 

The acting deputy commissioner of Victoria Police, Bob Hastings, said the results were disturbing, even given that the focus of the random saliva testing was in areas where dance parties, and thus potentially high drug use, took place.

 

In 2003, 31 per cent of drivers killed in Victoria had drugs other than alcohol in their system.

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"As a community, we ought to be taking this problem seriously," he said.

 

Newly installed Victorian Police Minister Tim Holding said all 18 positive roadside tests were corroborated by subsequent laboratory testing. This was a stark contrast to week one of the program, when two of the three drivers who tested positive at the roadside were found to be drug-free on further testing in the lab.

 

Opposition police spokesman Kim Wells queried whether the early problems had been fully ironed out, and called for a government briefing within the next two weeks.

 

"We're not convinced that all of a sudden the methodology is correct," he said. "We want to know what did go wrong and what they did to fix it."

 

Mr Wells also called for the penalty for drug-driving to be brought into line with that for drink-driving. Drink-drivers lose their licence if their blood alcohol level is above 0.07 per cent, and get 10 demerit points and a $307 fine if it is between 0.05 and 0.07.

 

But first-time drug-drivers lose only three demerit points and get fined $307, with licences cancelled only on subsequent convictions.

 

"If someone is caught for drug-driving they should lose their licence," he said.

 

Mr Holding rejected the call.

 

"I think we've got the balance right in relation to penalties," he said.

 

The trial is being watched closely by other states. NSW is believed to be looking at starting its own program in March, and South Australia is considering introducing a program in the second half of the year. Queensland is conducting a review into all impaired-driving issues.

 

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