Alcohol has long been a major safety concern on NSW roads. Random alcohol testing has been part of everyday life for decades. But recent police data shows a worrying shift. While alcohol remains an issue, drugs are now the bigger concern.
Roadside drug and alcohol testing figures in NSW tell a clear story. Millions of alcohol tests are conducted each year, yet the number of drivers over the legal limit is relatively small. Drug testing tells a different story. Far fewer tests are conducted, yet the number of positive results is significantly higher.
This trend should concern every NSW employer. Because what happens on our roads does not stop at the worksite gate.
Alcohol vs Drugs: A Clear Shift in Risk
According to a recent article in The Daily Telegraph, Police in NSW conducted around 3.4 million roadside alcohol tests in 2025. From those tests, approximately 12,500 drivers returned a result over 0.05.
By comparison, police conducted around 190,000 roadside drug tests. From those tests, around 25,000 drivers returned a positive result.
That means fewer tests are finding more impaired drivers. Drugs are now being detected at a much higher rate than alcohol.
With NSW recording its worst road toll since 2017 and around a quarter of all fatal crashes involving drivers with drugs in their system, drug-driving is a serious issue.
What This Means for NSW Workplaces
There are no publicly available statistics that show the exact rate of positive drug and alcohol tests in all NSW workplaces. But it is reasonable to assume workplace results would reflect what is happening on the roads.
Workers do not stop being drivers when they start their shift. The same people driving on NSW roads are operating vehicles, machinery, and tools at work.
If roadside testing identifies tens of thousands of alcohol and drug-positive drivers each year, it is fair to suggest similar risks exist in workplaces. That reality makes drug and alcohol testing in NSW essential for safety-focused employers.
Drug and alcohol testing in NSW is not about punishment. It is about prevention.
Testing helps to:
- Identify impairment before it causes harm
- Reinforce fitness-for-work expectations
- Support early intervention and education
- Reduce the likelihood of serious incidents
- Demonstrate due diligence under WHS laws
NSW employers have a duty to provide a safe workplace. That duty includes managing impairment risks. When something goes wrong, regulators often look at what systems were in place. Testing shows a proactive approach to safety.
Integrity Sampling is Supporting NSW Workplaces
Integrity Sampling supports safety-focused organisations across New South Wales. We operate from 12 locations across NSW, allowing us to deliver fast and reliable services statewide.
Our services include:
- Workplace drug and alcohol testing
- Policy and procedure development
- Drug and alcohol education programs
- Supervisor and manager training
- Ongoing compliance support
We work with businesses of all sizes and across all industries. Our focus is practical, compliant, and safety-driven.
When the data shows drugs are now the biggest concern on our roads, workplaces cannot afford to ignore the flow-on risk. Integrity Sampling is here to help NSW employers manage that risk with confidence.
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Roadside testing shows drugs are now one of the biggest risks on NSW roads. With drivers also being workers, workplace drug and alcohol testing in NSW is vital.
