Alarm at record number of drug-drive deaths on Victorian roads
RECORD numbers of motorists being killed on Victorian roads have drugs in their system, new figures reveal.
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RECORD numbers of motorists being killed on Victorian roads have drugs in their system, new figures reveal.
They now account for almost a third of all drivers and motorcycle riders who died.
The number of alcohol-fuelled deaths is also causing concern — jumping 60 per cent in a year.
Testing for illicit substances is being ramped up over the Labour Day long weekend which is notorious for drugged-up motorists. Last year one in nine of those tested returned a positive result.
Victoria Police figures show 58 drivers and motorcycle riders killed last year had illicit drugs in their system.
The figure compares with 36 a year earlier and 27 in 2014.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer told the Herald Sun: “What is of real concern to us is over the last couple of years we’ve seen increase on increase for those who have died where there has been illicit drugs present.
“The community really needs to get their heads around what sort of impact this has. We’re not here to be the moral police around illicit drugs.
“We want to talk around separating the behaviours. We don’t have as many people using drugs as use alcohol but it is clear that the use of illicit drugs and driving is a recipe for disaster.”
Drugs three years ago overtook alcohol as the leading factor in road deaths.
More than 100,000 motorists were drug tested last year, with 8700 testing positive. Amphetamines, including ice, were most prevalent, ahead of cannabis.
Users killed not only left their own families with a lifetime of heartache but endangered innocent road users.
“We are getting people killing themselves but we’re also getting people who are using illicit drugs who are killing others,’’ Mr Fryer said.
“We’re really concerned that people think it’s OK to use drugs and drive. It’s not.”
All available units will be deployed this weekend with Victoria’s road toll of 38 deaths standing at 28 fewer than the same time last year.
The toll is tracking as the best on record with five fewer people killed than the historic low.
Police stress authorities are doing all they can to avoid tragedies including rolling out safety barriers in country areas where 70 per cent of deaths have occurred.