Alarm at student safety as police bust five drivers on ice in special operation

THE number of motorists booked for drug-driving in morning peak hours has doubled in the past five years, new figures show.

The State Government described the number of motorists booked for drug-driving in morning peak hours as “alarming”. Picture: MATT LOXTON

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THE number of motorists booked for drug-driving in morning peak hours has doubled in the past five years, new figures show.

In contrast, police data reveals the number caught drink-driving in the past five years at the same times, between 6am and noon, had decreased by a third.

The State Government described the figures as “alarming” and warned the safety of school students is increasingly at risk.

Among morning drug-drivers being caught are some with children in the car.

As part of a special operation in February, police busted five drivers on methamphetamine – or ice – while taking children to or from school.

The Motor Accident Commission said many drivers were unaware of how drugs influenced their driving, such as reaction times and ability to judge distance and speed.

MAC spokeswoman Megan Cree said its research “revealed a common misconception regarding how long certain drugs are likely to impair a person’s ability to drive”.

“MAC’s ‘It’s time to stop drug driving’ campaign sends a clear message – roadside drug-driving tests can detect the impairing substance in methamphetamine for at least 24 hours and marijuana for at least five hours, maybe longer depending on the person,’’ she said.

Road Safety Minister Peter Malinauskas said an increase in roadside drug testing highlighted “the severity’’ of the drug-driving problem and in particular the increase in methamphetamine use.

He said the number of road users tested positive for ice at any time of the day had increased fivefold since 2010.

“The increasing number of people being caught drug driving on our roads is alarming, but particularly so when we are seeing growth during the morning period when so many people are on the roads commuting to school and work,’’ Mr Malinauskas said.

“Drug-driving will not be tolerated, and a range of policy responses will be introduced to counter this growing problem.’’

He said tougher penalties for drug drivers “will soon to be presented to Parliament’’ and other measures, such as more roadside testing, were under consideration.

Family First MP Robert Brokenshire said these latest figures reinforced his call for a crackdown on drug-drivers.

“The Government needs to fund a $3 million pilot project to allow police to run a year-long roadside drug driver testing blitz to determine the true extent of this problem on our roads,’’ he said.