Research results prompt drug crackdown

The New South Wales Government has announced a clampdown on illicit drug use in light of research results showing that 11% of road fatalities involve a person under the influence.

In a joint announcement from the Minister for Roads and Freight and the Minister for Police and Emergency Services, figures show that cannabis, speed and ecstasy have been responsible for 166 road deaths over the last four years.

The government cites the successful reduction in alcohol-related road trauma over the last 30 years as an important benchmark when considering a crackdown on drug use, with education and enforcement being key to curbing this dangerous behaviour.

New advances in drug testing technology mean that the latest devices have more sensitive detection thresholds, which the government expects to reduce the number of false-negative roadside test results. They claim that “every cent from mobile, red light and speed cameras goes into the Community Road Safety Fund”, which pays for the new testing devices. They assert that a reduction in drug driving and fatalities is now the top priority, so expect random roadside tests any day now.