One of the reasons that some businesses in Tasmania will give for not conducting drug and alcohol testing is that none of their employees do the wrong thing. However, if behaviour on our roads in any way correlates with behaviour in our workplaces, this belief is a false hope at best.
You don’t need to look far for evidence of people on Tasmania’s roads who are prepared to drink or take drugs and then drive:
- For example, the tragic case of a female who was killed in a road accident around 18 months ago. A coroner’s inquest held recently revealed the driver was heavily intoxicated at the time of the accident. Unfortunately, she had been stopped by Tasmania Police for speeding not long before the crash. They issued a speeding fine but did not conduct alcohol testing because they didn’t see signs of intoxication.
- Police caught 49 people in alcohol testing – 16 more than three times the legal limit – and 76 people in drug testing in a recent two month period in western Tasmania. The positive rate for the drug testing was staggering. It only took 228 drug tests to record the 76 positive results, a rate of less than 1 in 3. In a media release, Acting Inspector Martin Parker said, “Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and speeding, are two of the five major contributors to serious and fatal crashes”.
- In one recent morning alone in the North-West, a planned traffic operation detected three drink drivers, with one nearly three times over the limit. Sergeant Paul Murphy said in a media release, “Unfortunately, despite widespread awareness of the risks, some drivers continue to underestimate the potential consequences of drink driving. This is disappointing, as evidence clearly shows that drink and drug driving is one of the fatal five contributors to serious and fatal crashes on Tasmanian roads.
Do drug and alcohol testing results on Tasmania roads mean anything in the workplace?
Should drug and alcohol testing results like the above on Tasmania’s roads have workplace managers and owners worried? There has been research conducted that suggests they should be concerned.
For example:
- People with substance use disorders often exhibit a pattern of risky behaviours, which can include driving under the influence and coming to work impaired. A study published in the Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment found that individuals with alcohol or drug dependence are more likely to engage in various forms of risky behaviour, including unsafe driving and workplace impairment.
- A study in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine found that employees who reported driving under the influence were also more likely to report using substances at work or coming to work under the influence. This study suggests a behavioural pattern where risky behaviours are not isolated incidents but part of a broader lifestyle.
What should Tasmanian workplaces do?
Understanding the link between driving under the influence and workplace impairment is crucial for Tasmanian employers aiming to maintain a safe and productive work environment. Implementing comprehensive drug and alcohol management programs can help address these issues by:
- Conducting regular drug and alcohol testing in your Tasmania workplace, which can deter employees from coming to work under the influence. It also helps in identify those who might need assistance or intervention.
- Providing education on the dangers of substance use, both on the road and at work, which can help employees make better decisions and seek help if needed.
- Offering support programs such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), which can provide resources for employees struggling with substance use, helping them to manage their issues before they impact their work.
FEATURED IMAGE CAPTION:
Roadside drug and alcohol testing results on Tasmania’s roads should be concerning to workplace owners and managers.
