SA Police statistics show where the most drug drivers are caught across South Australia
NEW police figures show the worst areas across the state for drug driving.
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ADELAIDE’S western suburbs are the worst for drug driving, followed by the suburbs around Elizabeth and Holden Hill, new figures show.
Police Minister Peter Malinauskas revealed the figures during debate in Parliament on new laws which would toughen penalties for motorists caught under the influence while behind the wheel.
Mr Malinauskas also flagged that he had “aggressively” argued for introducing mandatory drug treatment for motorists who repeatedly tested positive, but was advised it would not be as effective as motorists choosing to undergo treatment themselves.
SA Police data shows there were 23,605 drug detections recorded among drivers tested on Adelaide roads in the five years to December, 2016.
The highest concentration — 3388 positive results — was recorded in the police Local Service Area known as Western Adelaide, followed by 2799 in the Elizabeth LSA and 2411 in Holden Hill.
Motorists in the state’s Far North recorded the fewest positive results, although the area also has the state’s sparsest population and police resources.
Court data presented to Parliament shows that between July, 2012, and December, 2016, there were 7418 drug-driving charges laid against people.
In 6806 cases, a conviction was recorded. Another 356 cases may have resulted in a conviction, but were dealt with in other ways.
Traffic Support Branch investigations manager Ben Spencer said SA Police conducted 47,000 drug tests a year compared to 500,000 alcohol screenings.
“Even if you feel OK, drug driving tests can detect it. So if you drive before drugs have cleared your system, you will be caught,” Inspector Spencer said.
Mr Malinauskas said he had been “very keen” to change the law to require mandatory treatment of drug-affected motorists “particularly if they demonstrated as a repeat offender”.
“(But) all of the evidence suggests that people being able to relinquish themselves of an addiction, more often than not, occurs when someone has elected to make a decision to get over their addiction,” he said.
“If the state seeks to impose mandatory treatment as a form of punishment or otherwise, then the prospect of success dramatically reduces.”
If the State Government’s Drink and Drug Driving Bill is passed through Parliament, motorists caught with drugs in their system would automatically lose their licence for three months for a first offence.
Repeat drug drivers would lose their licence for a longer period, up to three years.
Any driver detected drug or drink driving with a child aged under 16 in their car would be made to undergo a drug or alcohol dependency assessment before their licence would be reissued.
Mr Malinauskas said a dependency test cost about $450 and the current waiting time for an appointment was four to six weeks.
It involves blood and urine tests and an assessment of mental health symptoms of dependence on alcohol or drugs.
Breakdown of a road menace
Drug-driving detections by SA Police, between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016
Western Adelaide.............3388
Elizabeth...........................2799
Holden Hill.......................2411
Sturt...................................2212
South Coast.......................1971
Murray Mallee..................1722
Yorke/Mid North..............1615
Hills/Fleurieu....................1593
Eastern Adelaide..............1582
Limestone Coast..............1335
Eyre/Western....................1083
Barossa...............................969
Far North............................843
Unknown..............................82
Total................................23,605