One in 11 drivers tested positive to drugs during an Easter police blitz

A POLICE road traffic Easter blitz has resulted in disturbing figures, with one in 11 motorists testing positive for illegal drugs — while driving on the road.

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• Woman allegedly fails drug-driving test twice in 30 minutes

ONE in 11 drivers tested positive for drugs during a police road blitz over the Easter long weekend.

The results have disappointed authorities who say motorists are failing to understand the dangers of getting behind the wheel while under the influence.

Police tested 1882 drivers for illicit drugs over its four-day campaign, which ran from Good Friday through Easter Monday, and 170 motorists returned positive readings for methamphetamine or cannabis — or both.

Police also caught 1016 speeding motorists, 62 using their mobile phones while driving and 87 not wearing a seatbelt.

More than 13,000 drivers were breath tested during the operation and 46 returned positive readings for alcohol.

But the number of drug drivers caught has authorities worried.

RAA Road Safety Manager Charles Mountain said it was “fairly disturbing to think the number is so high”.

“There needs to be more (emphasis on) getting people to understand the implications of having drugs in their system and how it affects their ability to drive,” he said.

“It can either slow down their reactions or speed them up and distort their sense of judgment ... which can have disastrous consequences.”

Motor Accident Commission spokesman Matt Hanton said the results of the blitz were disappointing and called on all drivers to “take responsibility for their actions and make smart decisions”.

“It is extremely disappointing that we continue to see a number of drivers putting the lives of innocent road users at risk, who continue to ignore the warnings and choose to drink or drug drive,” he said.

“Drug driving is one of the highest contributors to road deaths in South Australia.

“Between July 2016 and June 2017, 19 per cent of drivers or riders killed on SA roads tested positive to drugs.”

SA Police superintendent Robert Gray said: “Each of these drivers were not only risking their own safety, and that of any passengers in their vehicle, but was endangering every other road user through their selfish behaviour”.

From March 8 this year, penalties for first drug driving offences increased, with those caught injuring a three-month licence disqualification as well as an expiation fee and four demerit points.