Yarra Ranges top traffic cop reveals why drug-driving crimes are rising

AN UNPRECEDENTED number of drug-addled drivers are wreaking havoc on roads in Melbourne’s outer east, says the region’s top traffic cop. And he’s identified the reason why.

Senior Sergeant Steve Rosewarne said drug-addled drivers were a fast-growing threat on our roads.

AGGRESSIVE, drug-addled drivers, some with multiple substances in their systems, are wreaking havoc on roads across the Yarra Ranges, says the region’s top traffic cop.

Senior Sergeant Steve Rosewarne said in the past two years police had busted almost 1000 drugged-up drivers, or more than one a day.

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The spike has prompted police to launch Operation Isa Brown, which will use this data to nab repeat drug drivers.

Senior Sergeant Steve Rosewarne said drug offenders not only surpassed drunk drivers caught, but the new data showed many had changed their drugs of choice.

“Three years ago it was predominantly cannabis, now it’s almost all methamphetamines — or ice — or a combination of ice, MDMA and cannabis,” he said.

“What we find is unlike those who drive when they’ve had cannabis — they’re a risk but more chilled out — with ice, we get a lot more road rages and anti-social behaviour happening.

He said unlike drink drivers, who tend to go out partying towards the end of the week, drug drivers were not as predictable and were caught all days of the week.

Sen-Sgt Rosewarne said Lilydale and the Warburton Highway were the drug-driving hot spots in the Yarra Ranges.

Out of those caught, 75 per cent were men, most aged in their 30s and 40s.

“It’s concerning because each year more people are turning to ice,” Sen-Sgt Rosewarne said.

Yarra Ranges Inspector Peter Wheeler said drug and drink drivers needed to consider the penalties, like loss of licences.

“People don’t think like that though,” Insp Wheeler said.

“People think they can drink and take drugs, and don’t consider they might be affected, or have a head-on collision with a family driving in the opposite direction.”

A State Government spokesperson, who did not want to be named, said drug-affected drivers threatened the safety of all road users.

“This Government has introduced the toughest penalties for drug drivers anywhere in Australia and we make no apologies for that,” they said.

“We won’t tolerate drivers who put the safety of other drivers and the public at risk.”

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