Pakenham tops the state for number of drug drivers

Pakenham has scored the unenviable title of the hardest hit suburb in the state for drug drivers caught endangering the lives of innocent road users, with 358 drug drivers intercepted by police last financial year.

This is three times higher than the second ranked suburb in the state, Dandenong, with 114 drug driving intercepts. Pakenham was also the most common place for drug driving offenders to live.

The latest police intelligence shows Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia accounted for 18% of all drivers caught under the influence of illicit substances – tripling the amount of the second highest region, Greater Geelong, which accounted for just 6% of the state’s drug drivers.

1,460 drug divers were caught across the region, with 58% of those being repeat offenders.

A quarter of those caught under the influence shouldn’t have been behind the wheel in the first place, as they were unauthorised drivers.

Methamphetamine was present in 69% of positive roadside drug tests in the three municipalities in in the 2024-25 financial year, with THC being found in 43% of the same tests, signifying a disturbing trend of multiple substances being detected in drivers.

Unsurprisingly, Greater Dandenong Casey and Cardinia also topped state for the number of collisions involving drivers impaired by drugs and or alcohol.

Frankston and Shepparton equally rounded out the third most common area for drug drivers to be intercepted.

Cardinia Highway Patrol officers have seen far too many incidents this year and have also prevented tragedy from occurring by getting drug-affected drivers off the road.

Incidents of note include:

• A 21-year-old female P-plater from Pakenham allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine and alcohol was intercepted at Pakenham after clocking 140km/h in a 70 signposted area. She was charged with drink and drug driving, drive whilst suspended, use unregistered motor vehicle, failing an oral fluid test, three counts of exceed speed limit, and two counts of running red lights. Her licence was cancelled and disqualified for six months.
• A 37-year-old woman who was suspended from driving was pulled over by police on the Pakenham and allegedly tested positive to cannabis while taking her children to school. She was charged with both offences and was disqualified from obtaining a driver’s licence or a bike permit for six months, and ordered not to be re-licenced unless cleared by a magistrate.
• A 33-year-old man was allegedly caught under the influence in Pakenham while also disqualified from driving. It will be further alleged he had incorrect plates on the car, which was also unregistered. He was summonsed to appear in court at a later date.
  
  

Following this concerning trend, local police are continuing to target drug drivers in operations in Pakenham and surrounding areas.

Whilst the numbers are concerning, the dedicated effort by local highway patrol officers actively testing and removing these drivers from our roads has contributed to reducing the road toll for the region this year.

11 people have lost their lives on local roads this year, and while that number is 52% lower than this time last year, every single life lost is one too many.

Local road safety operations will continue to drive down preventable deaths.

Quotes attributable to Cardinia Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Kristina Tabone:

“Anyone who makes the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs is nothing short of selfish, careless and completely irresponsible.

“They are not only putting themselves at risk of death or serious injury – they are far more likely to cause a crash and take the life of an innocent road user.

“It’s not only extremely concerning that half of drug drivers in our area having been caught for the same offence before, but also reckless.

“We see too often the tragic consequences of poor choices on our roads. If drivers continue take illicit substances and decide to drive, tragedy is inevitable.

“That’s why we will continue to target drivers impaired by drugs – anywhere, anytime.”

Media Unit
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