NSW drivers caught behind wheel with cocktail of drugs in systems
A MAJORITY of drivers stung by the new cocaine roadside drug tests have also had a cocktail of other drugs in their systems. The first figures for cocaine-specific random roadside drug testing Âreveals the worst offenders have been the younger drivers.
NSW
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OF the 56 drivers caught by new roadside tests at the wheel after taking cocaine, only two did not also have other drugs in their system.
The rest were affected by a cocktail of illicit substances, including cannabis, methamphetamine and ecstasy as well as cocaine.
The first figures for cocaine-specific random roadside drug testing reveals the worst offenders have been 17 to 25-year-olds, making up 30 per cent of all cocaine-affected drivers caught in the past two months.
The new testing regimen was rolled out in July, after NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller urged for its introduction on the back of a horror road toll in 2017.
Before this year, roadside drug tests could only detect cannabis, methamphetamine and ecstasy.
The results of the new tests have surprised and concerned veteran police on several levels.
“We thought there would be a concentration in metropolitan areas,” Traffic and Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy said.
“But it has been quite obvious people all over the state are driving with cocaine in their system.”
Rural areas were positive cocaine tests were recorded included Walgett, Griffith, Wagga Wagga and Coffs Harbour.
Men were the worst offenders — only 10 women tested positive.
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Most concerning to police was the array of other drugs drivers were using before getting behind the wheel.
Twelve drivers who tested positive to MDMA as the most prevalent drug in their system also had traces of cocaine. Twenty-eight drivers who tested positive to methamphetamine showed traces of cocaine and 38 people who had cannabis in their system also had cocaine.
Two drivers pulled over in Goulburn and Brisbane Waters in July had traces of all four drugs in their systems.
Only two drivers just had cocaine in their system.
The Sunday Telegraph was at the scene of a roadside drug and breath testing operation on New South Head Rd in Rushcutters Bay on Friday night but no-one tested positive.
Safework Laboratories national toxicologist Dr Phil Tynan said average cocaine use, between 50 and 100 milligrams, could be detected in saliva 24 hours after use.
Dr Tynan said drivers using cocaine were dangerous because “there is a high degree of (driver) distraction because these people become hyper vigilant and as a consequence there is a high degree of risk related, performance impairment”.
While drugs like cannabis, ecstasy and ice were linked to almost 300 fatal crashes between 2012 and 2016 in NSW, cocaine was associated with just 11, according to the NSW Centre for Road Safety.