By NICOLE VALICEK
AN INCREASING number of Hobsons Bay drivers have been caught drug-driving in the municipality over the last 12 months.
Statistics released by Victoria Police last week revealed 16 drivers in Hobsons Bay were caught with illicit drugs in their system across the 2012-’13 financial year.
The largest number of offenders (six) caught for drug driving were aged between 30 to 34 and three were caught in each of the 18-24 and 35-39 age group.
One to two drug driving penalty notices were issues for all other age groups including those between 25-29, 40-44 and 55-59.
Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Robert Hill said drug driving was increasing across Victoria and police needed to intervene now.
“Our goal is to influence and change the culture of road users to create a safer road system for all Victorians,” he said.
One in 11 drivers caught as part of an Operation RAID (Remove All Impaired Drivers) blitz in November had drugs in their system, which is nearly double the yearly average of detections.
“Victoria Police conduct around 3.5 to 4 million alcohol screening tests a year and 42,000 roadside drug tests,” Asst Comm Hill said.
In Victoria in 2012 one in 20 drivers were confirmed to have one or more of the illicit drugs present while driving and one in 238 drivers were found driving with a BAC in excess of the prescribed amount.
“In 2005 drugs of all types were present in almost 40 per cent of drivers killed on Victorian roads, with illicit drugs present in 24.4 per cent of drivers.”
“Disturbingly, the presence of drugs of all types in Victorian drivers killed in 2010 and 2011 increased dramatically, returning to the levels seen in 2005.”
He said the lessons learned in implementing a successful alcohol impaired driving program are now being applied to combat the drug impaired driving issue.
But Operation RAID results show there is still more work to be done in this area.
“While drink driving remains one of the biggest threats on our roads, we recognise drug driving is a significant issue and needs to be a major focus for Victoria Police and our road safety partners.”
