State Government considering recommendation to expand driver cocaine testing

Drivers could be tested for cocaine under groundbreaking recommendations being explored by the state government.

Motorists could be tested for cocaine under groundbreaking recommendations being explored by the state government.

Research, released by the state government, indicates driving under the influence of cocaine can increase the risk of road crashes by up to three times that of a non-drug driver.

Recommendations from a state parliamentary inquiry into the increase in Victoria’s road toll found drug testing services should be expanded.

The panel recommended Victoria introduce sweeping new measures including:

EXPANDING its drug testing program to include cocaine

CONDUCT research into drug testing identifying the level of impairment in drivers

TEST all persons, other than passengers, hospitalised after being involved in an accident be for drugs and alcohol; and

CONTINUED investment in the Behavioural Change Program for drink-and drug-driving offenders.

Road side drug testing could be expande dunder the recommendations. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

The inquiry found drugs, alcohol, driver distraction and speeding remain the most common contributors to fatalities and serious injuries in Victoria.

Currently police can test for THC, methamphetamine and MDMA and there is currently no test for impairment.

In its response to the recommendations, released last week, the state government said it was reviewing the recommendation to expand drug testing to include cocaine.

The government said while cocaine use increased the likelihood of crashes occurring, the substance was far less prevalent in collisions than other substances.

“Despite the accepted impairing effects and crash risk associated with cocaine and the increasing prevalence of cocaine in Victoria toxicological data provided by the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) shows cocaine is present in a relatively small number of fatal and seriously injured drivers in Victoria relative to methylamphetamine and cannabis,” the report said.

It said a VIFM analysis, from 2015-19, found cocaine was present in 2.1 per cent of driver fatalities.

“In contrast, cannabis was present in approximately 14.8 per cent of driver fatalities and all stimulants (including methylamphetamine) were present in approximately 17.3 per cent of all driver fatalities for the same period,” the report said.

It said the government would “continue to monitor” drugs of concern, including cocaine to ensure its drug program was targeting drugs causing harm.

The government said it supported “in principle” both the recommendation the testing of others hospitalised after crashes and calls to explore testing of impairment.

It also supported, in full, the recommendation to continue funding for the behavioural change program.

Former policeman and Western Victorian MP Stuart Grimley welcomed any addition to the state’s drug testing regime.

“Any person driving with illicit drugs in their system is a danger on the roads,” he said.

“What I would like to see is more police officers given the training to conduct roadside drug testing rather than a select few traffic management unit police officers.

“If every officer had the tools at their disposal to conduct regular roadside drug tests, our roads would be safer.”

Originally published as State Government considering recommendation to expand driver cocaine testing