RAC General Manager Corporate Affairs, Will Golsby, said while RAC welcomed the State Government’s announcement last year that the number of drivers being drug tested would increase, WA’s rate of tests against population was still well behind those of New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.
“As of October 2015, New South Wales had conducted 97,000 tests per year, which was equivalent to approximately one test per 78 persons. Victoria conducted 100,000, equivalent to one test per 59 persons. South Australia conducted 40,000, making their ratio closer to one test per 40 persons,” Mr Golsby said.
“Western Australia conducted 24,986, making our ratio one test per 104 persons.”
“Victoria and New South Wales have a target of 100,000 tests per year, which is indeed reflected by their greater populations. However South Australia, a State with a comparable population size to WA, has achieved a far better persons per test rate than Western Australia.
“RAC believes enforcement is a core road safety response to tackle this issue. However, despite its effectiveness as a drug driving deterrent, WA’s rate of drug testing per driver or rider is well below other States.”
RAC’s findings followed a study conducted by the Curtin-Monash Accident Research Centre which investigated the tragic deaths of 1,375 drivers or riders killed on WA roads between 2000 and 2012.
The study found a staggering 47 per cent of fatally injured drivers in WA had drugs or alcohol in their system, and nearly 23 per cent of those killed had one or more illegal drugs detected.
“The fact that nearly half of deceased drivers had drugs in their system or a blood alcohol concentration above .05 is very concerning and now puts drug driving in the same realm of seriousness as alcohol, speeding and inattention as major risks on WA roads,” Mr Golsby said.
“Any illegal substance that reduces a person’s driving ability and their capacity to make sound decisions is a problem for road safety and an issue for the community.”
Media contact: RAC Media Office 0401 703 719
