By VICTORIA STONE-MEADOWS
EASTERN Melbourne has seen a spike in people caught driving under the influence of illicit drugs.
Acting Inspector for Eastern Division to Tasking and Coordination Steve Rosewarne said the trends in drug-driving were worrying.
This division oversees various aspects of police units, including highway patrol, to combat the increase in drug- related crimes.
“We see an increase in the amount of people who are detected drug-driving,” Mr Rosewarne said.
“A high percentage of those caught driving under the influence of drugs record methamphetamine in their system, including ice.”
Mr Rosewarne said more police officers were being trained in administering roadside drug tests, and people using drugs and driving would be caught.
“We will be expanding roadside drug testing operations and they will be a more consistent part of road safety across the whole of the state,” Mr Rosewarne said.
Highway Patrol members from Knox and Maroondah conducted Operation Snookered recently which detected 18 drink and nine drug drivers on one night.
Transport Accident Commission (TAC) chief executive officer Janet Dore said people who drove under the influence of drugs were a danger to the community.
“Every year, people die and are seriously injured on Victorian roads as a result of people who take drugs and drive,” she said.
According to the TAC, fatality statistics from the past five years show that around 37 per cent of drivers and riders killed on Victorian roads had alcohol, illicit or prescription drugs in their system, or a combination of all of these.
The TAC is currently running a campaign to educate drivers that all Victoria Police booze buses are also equipped to test drivers for illegal drugs.
The campaign was updated last year to target the rising use of methamphetamines after 2013 saw Victoria experience its worst year for deaths involving drivers and riders with stimulant in their system.
TAC statistics show that in 2013 14.9 per cent of drivers and riders killed on the road had a stimulant, such as ice or other amphetamines, in their system.
“As well putting themselves and others in the community at risk of death or serious injury, people who drive on drugs need to be aware that they will be caught and the consequences can be serious,” Mrs Dore said.
