Victoria Police and the TAC today announced a joint effort to reduce the incidence of drug driving, unveiling the new Police Drug and Alcohol buses and a supporting public education campaign.

Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon today announced that Victoria Police booze buses were in the process of being converted to test drivers for both drugs and alcohol.

“Drug driving enforcement is being stepped up. Two new drug buses are already operating and a third will be on the road by Christmas,” said Ms Nixon.

“Drug and alcohol impairment is a major focus of our enforcement over the holiday period and the chances of being caught are now much greater than before.”

Ms Nixon said the new TAC campaign launched today was a timely reminder for all motorists.

“The TAC’s new campaign tells motorists clearly, that booze buses will also be testing drivers for illicit drugs. We hope knowing this will deter motorists from taking the risk,” she said.

The TAC’s Senior Manager Road Safety, David Healy said the message for motorists was simple.

“Don’t take drugs and drive,” said Mr Healy.

“The pain of road trauma is felt in our community every day, and nobody wants this Christmas and festive season to be marred by tragedy.

“The mix of drugs and driving can be deadly. Drugs impair judgement of road conditions and travel speed, and adversely affect your ability to respond in emergency situations or when the unexpected happens.

“Drugs can also induce a false sense of over-confidence, increasing risk taking behaviour,” said Mr Healy.

The TV component of the new TAC campaign will screen from tonight with the message that ‘if you drive on drugs you’re out of your mind’.

Victoria Police began testing drivers for methamphetamine and cannabis (THC) on 13 December 2004 and extended the program to include ecstasy (MDMA) on 1 September 2006. To date, police have tested over 24,000 drivers and 479 have tested positive to one or more illicit substances.

A total of eight buses will be converted to dual capacity and operational by mid 2007.

The statistical breakdown of drug-driving offences detected from 13  December 2004 to 12 December 2006 is as follows:

Drivers tested:
Car drivers: 17,261
Heavy vehicle drivers: 7,152
Total drivers: 24,413

Confirmed drug drivers:
Car drivers: 373
Heavy vehicle drivers: 106
Total drivers: 479

Negative driver ratio:
Car drivers: 1:46
Heavy vehicle drivers: 1:67
Overall ratio: 1:51

Laboratory results:
Positive to methamphetamine only: 321
Positive to MDMA only: 6
Positive to tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) only: 35
Positive to methamphetamine and MDMA: 11
Positive to methamphetamine and THC: 105
Positive to MDMA and THC: 0
All three drugs present: 1
Total: 479
(Results still pending analysis: 13)

Refusal Offences:
Car drivers: 14
Heavy vehicle drivers: 3
Total refusals: 17

Recidivist Offenders:
Car drivers: 3
Heavy vehicle drivers: 2
Total: 5

The average age of offending car drivers is 26, and offending truck drivers is 39.

Approximately 81% of all drug-drivers are male.

Michelle Alexander
Media Officer