There’s little doubt that taking drugs and drinking to excess can make people do silly and sometimes dangerous things. And we need look no further than behaviours on our roads for evidence.
Case in point, the 25-year-old Hobart man who allegedly stole a motor vehicle recently. After he was caught by Tasmania Police, the driver underwent drug testing and, you guessed it, the result was positive.
Or the case of the 61-year-old male driver who was caught not once but twice by roadside alcohol testing in a two week period.
On February 21, police intercepted a heavy truck on the South Arm Highway near Hobart. It is alleged that the truck was unregistered and the driver was suspended. The man underwent alcohol testing and returned a reading of 0.147, nearly three times the legal limit. As a result, he was disqualified from driving for an additional 12 months.
Then on 7 March, police intercepted the same truck on the same highway. It is alleged that the vehicle was still unregistered and being driven by the same man. A random breath test returned a reading of 0.109, more than twice the legal limit. The driver was arrested and remanded to appear before an after-hours court.
While the actions of the male driver may cause a laugh for some, there’s a serious message about the dangers of drink driving. A fact that Tasmania Police’s Acting Sergeant Mohammadi pointed out in a media release.
“Police urge all motorists to remember that drink driving is one of the fatal five causes of deaths and serious injuries from crashes on our roads. Getting behind the wheel when you’re affected by alcohol puts your life, and the lives of other road users at risk – don’t do it.”
What do these drug and alcohol testing fails mean for Tasmania’s workplaces?
While these drug and alcohol testing fails are both on the roadside, do they have any relevance for Tasmania’s workplaces?
If someone is willing to take risks on the road — by driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, driving unlicensed, or even stealing a vehicle — it’s not a stretch to assume they may take similar risks in the workplace. That’s why drug and alcohol testing isn’t just for our roads — it’s essential for our workplaces too.
Workplace safety relies on people making sound, responsible decisions. Employees under the influence can endanger themselves, their co-workers and the public. Implementing a robust drug and alcohol testing program in Tasmanian workplaces isn’t just about ticking a box — it’s about creating a culture of safety and accountability.
Silly or dangerous? On the road or at work, the answer is clear. Don’t take the risk.
Integrity Sampling in Tasmania
Integrity Sampling has three locations in Tasmania, with geographical reach across most of the state. All our branches (Hobart, Devonport and Launceston) provide workplace drug and alcohol testing services, as well as policy and procedure development, and education.
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Drug and alcohol testing fails on Tasmania’s roads may appear to be funny for some, but there’s a sobering message for all road users… And all workplaces.
