More people were dying on our roads with drugs in their system than there are drink-driver fatalities, South West Coast MP and opposition spokesperson for rural roads, Roma Britnell said

Despite this, she said penalties for being caught drug driving are significantly lighter than those for drink-driving and testing regimes for drugs were also at lower levels than alcohol testing.

The Liberal Nationals plan to lift the number of roadside drug driver tests by 52,000 to 202,000 a year - that's the equivalent of an extra 1000 drug tests a week.

They would also increase the maximum fine for a first-time offender caught driving while drug-impaired from $1934 to $3223, bringing it level with the penalty for a first-time drink driver.

Drivers who fail a drug test would be fined as much as $967, up from $483,

The road safety camera commissioner would also be given a say in choosing sites for fixed-speed cameras to ensure they are focused on reducing road trauma instead of increasing revenue.

"We must send a strong message that drug driving, like drink driving, is simply not acceptable," she said.

"When you have magistrates venting their frustrations about not being able to impose stricter penalties on those found guilty of drug driving, you know there is a problem.

"Our road toll is spiralling out of control and enforcement has a big role to play in curbing the tragedy which is unfolding right across Victoria."

READ MORE: Growing number of drug drivers

The get tough approach to drug driving comes as south-west police warn there was a growing number of drivers who were high behind the wheel.

Warrnambool police found over the Queen's Birthday long weekend there were five people detected with drugs in their system.

During the May Racing Carnival, only one drink-driver was detected after 1502 preliminary breath tests but after 100 drug tests 11 people returned a positive result.

Police have warned that as many as one in five or six tests were coming back positive for drugs.

According to the Transport Accident Commission, 41 per cent of all drivers and motorcyclists killed in the past five years had drugs in their system, with cannabis and stimulants the most common substances detected.

Ms Britnell said that ensuring fixed and mobile speed cameras were in locations that have a high risk of road trauma rather than places to boost the coffers, and giving police the ability to conduct more roadside tests, were simple steps that we could take to help reduce the number of people being killed on our roads.

"I urge the Andrews Government to stop their cuts to roadside testing for drug and alcohol and to adopt our three point plan to get serious about road safety," she said.

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