New driver drug tests

NEW legislation for drug screening has been introduced after one in five killed in a motor vehicle collision last year was affected by drugs.
The decision comes at a time when Victoria’s road toll, currently 162, has surged ahead of the figure recorded for the same time last year.
From 1 July, any victim of road trauma presented at hospital will be tested not only for the presence of alcohol in their system, but also for evidence of illicit drugs.
The new laws were introduced after alarming evidence highlighted one of the main contributing factors in a motor-vehicle collision was the presence of either drugs or alcohol in a driver’s system.
Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay believes the decision will have an impact in driving down the current road toll.
“The road toll will always ebb and flow, but this is a big step forward and sends a clear message to drivers that substance abuse has no place on our roads,” he said. “This is just one of many measures that we will use to tackle the road toll and target those who continue to put others at risk on our roads.”
Routine screening of all blood samples taken from collision victims will start, targeting three illicit substances in addition to alcohol.
The tests will enable the detection of drugs like THC, the active metabolite of cannabis, methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDA – ecstasy) and methamphetamine (speed).