Aussies drug and drive
2005-07-14 10:54
Melbourne - More Australians are driving under the influence of drugs such as marijuana and methamphetamines than alcohol, according to research in southern Victoria state, police said on Thursday.
Random roadside testing found one in 50 drivers tested positive for illegal drug use while just one in 250 are caught in regular drink-driving tests, the Australian Associated Press reported.
More than 7 000 drivers were tested from mid-December last year to the end of June, with 145 testing positive for methamphetamines, cannabis, or both.
The results suggested Australia's tough action against drink driving may be having an effect, said Inspector Ian Cairns, who was in charge of the trial.
"There are less people drink driving now than there were 10 to 15 years ago. However, the evidence also shows people using illicit drugs has increased, especially over the past four or five years," he said.
"(And) the incidence of people using illicit drugs and driving has increased."
Cairns said officers had targeted some drivers who were leaving dance or "rave" parties, but insisted the results were indicative of a broader community trend.
"It was random, conducted seven days a week ... and very disturbing from a road safety point of view," he said.
Thirty-four of the drugged drivers were behind the wheel of large trucks.
Victoria police chief Christine Nixon said she was surprised by the outcome of the first six months of the year-long trial.
"Even the experts didn't quite predict that there would be this many people who drive with drugs in their system," said Nixon.