Drug driving
Drug driving where one or more illicit drugs are present is found in approximately 40 per cent of driver deaths on Victoria’s roads each year.
Random drug testing of drivers in Victoria shows that one driver in 48 tests positively to the presence of illicit drugs.
Issues affecting Victoria’s response to drug driving include:
Drug driving data: There are gaps in the current processes used to establish whether drugs are present in drivers who are injured in crashes, but not killed. These gaps compromise the development and effectiveness of drug driving countermeasures.
Prescription medication: The impact of prescription medication on road user behaviour is currently unclear. In the context of an ageing population, it is important that research continues into the impacts of prescription drugs on road user behaviour to develop effective road safety measures.
What the strategy will do
Measures to reduce the incidence of drug driving will include:
- More targeted enforcement through roadside drug testing programs.
- Educating motorists to better understand the drug driving/crash risk relationship, and the high risk of detection.
- Undertaking research to increase understanding of the role of both illicit and prescription drugs on road safety.
- Following discussions with the emergency hospital sector, ensuring the routine blood sampling of all drivers who are injured in crashes, but not killed.
- Exploring the introduction of a drug interlock program to separate driving from drug use, similar to the alcohol interlock program.
