One in 10 drivers killed on Victorian roads had ice in their system

Ice has been revealed as the most common drug behind fatal collisions in Victoria, with heartbroken families issuing a desperate plea for drug users to stay off the road.

Nirvair Singh (right) was killed in horror crash in Diggers Rest when he collided with a driver on meth.

More than one in 10 Victorians killed on the roads in the previous decade had ice in their system, with devastated loved ones urging drug users to “think twice” before getting behind the wheel.

Shocking new data released by Monash University revealed about 12 per cent of drivers killed on Victorian roads in the 2010s were on ice, with the deadly drug found in more fatal incidents than marijuana and MDMA.

The data also revealed a 7 per cent annual increase of drivers who tested positive for ice.

Harpreet Singh Marwahah lost his “close friend” Nirvair Singh — a popular Punjabi singer — when he was killed in a collision with a driver who tested positive for ice.

Driver Corey Comport, 25, was later sentenced to at least five years and eight months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death.

Nirvair Singh was killed in horror collision at Diggers Rest. Picture: Supplied

Corey Comport was jailed for at least five years and eight months after he pleaded guilty to culpable driving causing death. Picture: Supplied

Mr Marwahah said loved ones were left “helpless” by the incident, with his friend’s life perishing despite doing “nothing wrong”.

“It’s really heartbreaking when these incidents happen and when you have other drivers who are under the influence,” he said.

“If you see the stats you see so many incidents of people on drugs driving and then dying or killing people.”

“Every year the (death) toll increases and more people losing lives on the roads.

“It’s a deadly combination, drug use and driving and they’re aware that they’re taking drugs and getting behind the wheel.

“It’s so careless and the drivers themselves on drugs don’t deserve to die like this either, they’ve got families as well.”

Victoria Police conducts 150,000 roadside drug tests every year across the state.

Between 2015 and 2019 ice was also found in nearly 30 per cent of motorcycle fatalities.

Overall nearly 20 per cent of motorists killed on the roads tested positive for one or more drugs, with 14 per cent also being over 0.05.

The study found “despite enhanced road safety measures in Victoria, drug-driving persists, indicating a need for revised prevention strategies targeting this growing issue”.

Between 2010-19 there were 1596 killed on Victorian roads and nearly 20,000 people injured.

According to TAC data one in four Victorians who use drugs admit to driving under the influence of recreational drugs.

Drivers caught with drugs in their system face a minimum 6 month loss of licence and a $577 fine.

Co-author of the Monash report Adjunct Associate Professor Dimitri Gerostamoulos said the findings showed meth, along with alcohol and cannabis, were the drugs that caused the “most harm” on Victorian roads.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said drug driving was a “major cause of road trauma”.

Road Policing Command Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir said drug driving was a significant issue. Picture: Jason Edwards

“Police see the devastating harm drugs cause on our roads every day,” he said.

“Driving is a complex task that requires concentration, judgement and decision making.

“Drugs such as cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA impair your ability to safely operate a vehicle.

“Police are out every day detecting drug drivers and removing them from our roads.

“We also run intelligence led operations to target drug driving offending where and when it’s most likely to occur. All motorists should expect to be tested anywhere, anytime for drugs.”