No escape for drug drivers

More than 700 drug drivers are being caught on Victoria's roads each month as police go all-out to catch those trying to avoid detection.

New analysis shows methylamphetamine - also known as speed or ice - was present in three quarters of all detections.

Almost one in five drivers caught had multiple illicit drugs in their system.

Victoria Police is regularly deploying highway patrol cars to side streets to catch drug drivers thinking they can outsmart the law.

The effort includes both proactive patrols and intelligence-based tactical deployments.

Victoria Police's entire highway patrol fleet has the ability to drug test motorists roadside.

This includes vehicles based at local police stations as well as those housed within State Highway Patrol.

The force's police motorcycles, known as the Solo Unit, can also test for drugs while the testing capability at smaller police stations in regional areas was recently increased.

The agile enforcement arm complements the work of the drug bus fleet, which includes smaller buses which can operate in secondary streets.

Victoria Police conducts 150,000 roadside drug tests a year with units out anywhere, any time.

Last financial year there were 8426 drug driving detections.

Just over 75 per cent of detections were for methylamphetamine.

This included 17 per cent which showed not only methylamphetamine but also THC, which is the psychoactive component of cannabis, or MDMA.

A small number of drivers - 40 - had all three illicit drugs in their system.

The penalties for getting behind the wheel on drugs are severe.

Even if you’re a first-time offender you’ll be fined $593 and have your licence or learner permit suspended for six months.

Police also have the power to impound your vehicle for drug driving offences.

Police don’t just enforce, they can connect drug users with support services to keep them and other road users safe.

Attributable to Superintendent Justin Goldsmith, Road Policing Command:

"Drug drivers who think they can outsmart police should think again.

"We're out anywhere, any time testing for drugs.

"Every highway patrol car is a drug bus which means there's nowhere to hide.

"That includes side streets, where we tactically deploy to catch out motorists actively trying to avoid police.

"The penalties for drug driving are severe, even if you're a first-time offender.

"We can also link drug users with support services to help break the cycle of harm."

Media Unit

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