There’s little doubt that roadside drug testing can be a controversial subject, however, there’s also little doubt that the practice is saving lives.
One esteemed organisation to show the value of roadside drug testing on road safety statistics is Monash University and its Accident Research Centre (MUARC). In 2021, MUARC researchers studied the effects associated with the expansion of roadside drug testing in Victoria and its impact on fatal and serious injury accidents.
Using data such as roadside drug testing statistics, Victorian road crash and accident data, and the Victorian Coronial Data System, they found that drug driving was being overrepresented in both fatal and serious injuries on Victorian roads. They found that:
- The presence of methamphetamine in fatally injured drivers increased between 2006 and 2016 from a rate of 5% to over 18% respectively.
- During the same period, the presence of THC, the prime psychoactive constituent of cannabis, in drivers killed on Victorian roads varied between 12% and 18% with an overall trend upwards.
While there were many findings from the study, key findings were:
- The annual number of roadside drug tests in Victoria had increased from 42,000 to 100,000.
- Reductions in the prevalence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and methamphetamine in fatally and seriously injured drivers were found to be significantly related to increases in the numbers of random and targeted tests, and their offence detection rates.
- The increase in roadside drug tests is estimated to have saved 33 fatal crashes and at least 80 serious injury crashes per year. Road trauma benefits out-weighed costs by 9.4 to 1.
- Further increases in roadside drug testing in Victoria is warranted, based on economic criteria.
Perhaps the most important finding of the study is that roadside drug testing in Victoria is undeniably saving lives. By more than doubling the number of tests, 33 fatal crashes and at least 80 serious injury accidents were prevented each year.
Are the number of lives saved, serious injuries prevented and untold heartache for many hundreds of Victorians worth the effort and the controversy? You be the judge.
Victorian statistics don’t lie
As we highlighted above, one of the findings from MUARC’s study is that drug driving was being overrepresented in both fatal and serious injuries on Victorian roads. This can be seen from research unearthed during the study as well as other road data. This includes:
- In the last five years, around 41% of all drivers and motorcyclists killed on Victoria’s roads who were subsequently tested, had drugs in their system. Cannabis and stimulants like methamphetamines were the most common drugs detected.
- One in four Victorians who use drugs admit to driving under the influence of recreational drugs.
- In 2018 alone, 19% of driver and rider fatalities had stimulants in their system and 10.3% had cannabis in their system.
And here’s another statistic that is also on the rise – the number of roadside drug tests that are conducted in Victoria. Currently there are approximately 150,000 tests conducted each year and with statistics like the above, it’s unlikely we’ll see this reduced soon.
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Roadside drug testing may be a controversial subject according to some, but it is saving lives. Credit TAC.
