While the Easter Bunny, chocolates and hot cross buns will be top of mind for many in our community over the coming week, for police, keeping the road toll down will be the major focus. And one of their key tactics to do this will be roadside drug and alcohol testing, to help ensure those who are driving on our roads are safe to do so.
While all state and territory police forces will be making a major presence on our roads during Easter, and conducting increased drug and alcohol testing, here are few highlights in the media over the past few days.
- In Tasmania, police are asking motorists to keep the fatal five – speed, inattention, fatigue, seatbelts, and drug and alcohol – in mind over the Easter period. According to an article in The Mercury, Tasmania Police have warned they’ll be conducting increased drug and alcohol testing in known hot spots.
- In Victoria, the police “will be everywhere” on the roads during the Easter period, according to an article in the Sunraysia Daily. Part of their arsenal in the war on drugs and alcohol will a new drug and alcohol testing bus, which was launched recently.
- In Queensland, The North West Star reports that Mount Isa District Police, like the remainder of the Queensland Police Force, will be working hard to improve road safety this Easter. Expect a high visibility police presence with increased roadside drug and alcohol testing all days over and leading up to Easter.
- In Western Australia, there’ll be the normal focus over Easter on staying safe on the roads, and road users should expect to see more drug and alcohol testing. In regional areas, there’ll be an additional emphasis on fatigue in the lead up to Easter. According to news.com.au, tired drivers are to blame for a quarter of country road deaths.
The general message from Police is that if you are going out for a drink or to take drugs, have a designated driver and never get behind the wheel while under the influence.
It’s also wise to remember that you may not be safe to drive the next day, after a big night out. Alcohol and drugs take time to leave the body, between a few hours and 24 hours, and sometimes even more, depending on how much alcohol or drugs you’ve taken. So take extra precaution and allow additional time before getting back behind the wheel… Or going to work!
