POLICE have put drug-influenced drivers in the south-west on notice, as the force steps up its highly successful testing regime.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
South-west police road safety advisor Acting Senior Sergeant Stephen Thompson said 232 drug tests performed in the first three months of the financial year had returned 61 positive results at a strike rate of 26 per cent.
The tests were conducted in the municipalities of Warrnambool, Moyne, Corangamite, Southern Grampians and Glenelg.
"Drug tests are proving a very useful policing tool which we will continue to use in line with the recent state government announcement and police command directives," he said.
"We are committed to utilise the legislation and expand on it in line with Victoria Police's organisational policy and the state government financial commitment."
Victoria Police road policing Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer announced at the weekend a major expansion of road-side drug tests, which will double the rate of the past couple of years.
Police conducted 42,000 drug tests in 2013 and expect to conduct 100,000 tests across the next two years.
"We are not sitting outside rave parties – we are testing the general motorist. There is no standard demographic. All of Victoria need to understand they could be exposed," he said.
The announcement is part of a $17.7-million package that includes the overhaul of Victoria’s ageing booze bus fleet. Four large buses and six smaller buses will help police test in more places, including rural and regional areas.
The majority of positive drug tests relate to cannabis and amphetamines speed and ice.
The issue of drug-driving was highlighted across the AFL grand final long weekend during Operation Scoreboard, when one in every nine drivers drug tested in Victoria related positive results.
The number of positive alcohol tests statewide was a ratio of one in 424.
Money for the annual 100,000 extra drug tests to nab drugged drivers starts flowing this month.
Police Minister Wade Noonan said drug-influenced drivers were a menace.
“We need to get drug-drivers off our roads. More drug tests, new booze and drug buses and more police testing drivers will keep all road users safer,” he said.
