July 10, 2023
Queensland Police have a new weapon in their arsenal to stop drug drivers … a test for cocaine.
The roadside drug testing program has been expanded with cocaine added to the list of narcotics which can be detected.
Random roadside screening has been used in Queensland for more than 15 years.
Police have been conducting about 50,000 random tests every year, testing for methylamphetamine, ecstasy and THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) from a sample of saliva.
Statistics reveal one-in-four motorists tested returns a positive result for illicit drugs.
“It is shocking to think that a quarter of all random drug tests in our state return a positive result, this is unacceptable,” Transport Minister Mark Bailey said.
“If you’re behind the wheel with drugs in your system, you’re not only a danger to yourself but to every other Queenslander and we make no apologies for coming down hard.
“Drug driving is one of the major contributing factors to fatal crashes and after the number of lives lost on our roads last year, this change to the roadside testing is very timely.”
QPS Acting Assistant Commissioner Chris Stream said drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol had impaired judgment, memory, co-ordination and reaction time.
“Choosing to drive when affected by drugs is a decision that has a direct consequence on your life and those around you.” he said.
“The consequences of drug driving are very serious.
“In 2022, 61 people died as a result of crashes that involved a drug driver or rider, representing approximately 20.5 per cent of the lives lost on Queensland roads. This also represents a 30 per cent increase compared to the previous five-year average.
“Many more Queenslanders could have died or been seriously injured on our roads if police didn’t take action.”
