With high drug testing positives and other concerning statistics, South Australia is set to launch a new campaign to encourage drug users to stay off the road.
According to Mirage News, the new campaign will feature ads to confront drivers with the serious consequences of driving after consuming cannabis or amphetamine. It’s hoped it will encourage people under the influence of drugs to understand that they are not fit to drive or share the road with other users.
The campaign is the result of research by South Australia Police. Research findings include:
- In 2023, drug driving was a factor in 95 serious injuries.
- In the same period, 22 of the 117 lives that were lost on SA roads were due to drug driving.
- Over 5300 people failed drug testing on South Australia’s roads.
“This is why are investing in making sure these drivers are educated about the risks they pose to both themselves and others and warned about what can happen to them when they choose to drug drive,” says Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge, Superintendent Darren Fielke in the Mirage News article.
Part of the campaign will feature a South Australian Police Officer conducting roadside drug testing and issuing sanctions to drivers returning positive drug tests. It also features a crash scene. It’s hoped the campaign will educate drug drivers that, contrary to what they may think, driving with drugs in their system is more likely to cause a crash.
South Australia’s new drug driving campaign will be launched mid-2024.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
Statistics, including a high number of roadside drug testing positive results, will see South Australia launch a new campaign to keep drug drivers off the roads. Credit Patrick Tomasso https://unsplash.com/photos/car-dashboard-5WUB10XtehU
