Monday 25 November 2024: A new report by the NRMA today has revealed one-in-10 NSW drivers tested positive for illicit drugs in 2023 as roadside drug testing continues to fall short of its target.
The NRMA’s Driving High report has today called on the NSW Government to increase roadside drug testing to meet the target of 200,000 tests per year set in 2018 as fatalities on NSW roads rise. Last year the state fell 40,000 tests short of this target.
Drug driving is now the second leading cause of fatalities in NSW, surpassing fatigue, drink driving and non-seatbelt use.
The Driving High report comes as fatalities on NSW roads continue to rise with 79 people losing their lives in drug related crashes in 2023, 24 more than the previous year. It calls for:
- 200,000 roadside drug tests to be conducted by 2026
- Resourcing for Police to ensure high visibility policing, especially on country roads
- Publicly release roadside drug and alcohol testing enforcement data sooner
- More public education on the effects of drug driving, including medication
- A review of warning labels on medication that could impair driving
In nearly 70 per cent of drug driving related crashes, the drug in the driver’s system was cannabis, followed by methylamphetamine (43%) and cocaine (7%).
The overwhelming majority of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had drugs in their system were males (85%) and drivers or motorcycle riders aged 20-29 years old (31%) were the largest cohort. Also, nearly 50 per cent of drivers who tested positive were in age cohorts 30-49.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said drivers who combined illicit drugs with alcohol with were 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash. “It is extremely alarming that one-in-10 drivers pulled over for a random drug test on the side of the road tested positive at the same time that we are seeing a huge spike in deaths – jumping 44 per cent in one year,” Mr Khoury said.
“Too many Australians are driving high and it’s clear we need to ramp up enforcement and to boost education campaigns around ending this dangerous behaviour.
“Random drug testing sends the message that if you take the risk you will get caught and as we head into the Christmas party season this serves as an important reminder.”
Roadside drug testing of drivers for cannabis, methylamphetamine, and MDMA has occurred since 2007, with testing for cocaine introduced in 2018.
The NRMA remains fearless advocates for the work NSW Police do to tackle drug driving.
“We support an increased focus on improving police numbers and hope to see roadside testing rates move in the right direction to reach the target and ultimately save lives,” Mr Khoury said.
Driving High also calls for a review of warning labels on medication and further research into the effects of medicinal cannabis on driver impairment.
