New TAC Campaign shows danger of drug driving

01 Aug 2008

MEDIA RELEASE - Friday, 1 August 2008

Young Victorians who indulge in illegal party drugs have been deliberately targeted in the TAC's latest effort to tackle drug driving and reduce the number of deaths on Victoria's roads.

Minister for the TAC Tim Holding said the new public education campaign would start tonight and send a blunt message to young road users graphically showing the danger of driving under the influence of drugs.

"This campaign specifically targets the high number of young men putting themselves and others at risk when driving on drugs," Mr Holding said.

"Driving on drugs is illegal, stupid and highly dangerous."

Approximately 20 percent of drivers killed on our roads test positive for amphetamine-type stimulants and cannabis. Stimulant use is associated with a three-fold increase in risk of a crash and is thought to encourage dangerous behaviour like speeding.

A recent report from the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre found that 71 percent of drug users had driven a motor vehicle in the last six months within one hour of taking drugs. Of those reporting driving under the influence of drugs, 63 percent admitted to using ecstasy, 65 percent amphetamine type stimulants and 63 percent cannabis.

Nearly 20 percent of drug drivers believed they were not impaired in any way, and 26 percent even believed taking drugs improved their driving ability.

Mr Holding said drug drivers were recklessly putting themselves and other road users at risk of serious road injuries and fatalities.

"Driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous because it makes you less alert, impairs your vision, reduces your coordination and prevents you from making the right decisions under pressure," Mr Holding said.

Mr Holding said the public education campaign was part of the State Government's Arrive Alive road safety strategy.

"This campaign is part of our strategy to make our roads safer and our message is a simple one - if you drive on drugs, you're out of your mind," Mr Holding said.

Since testing began in December 2004, approximately 62,530 random drug tests have been conducted, with 1,059 drivers caught drug driving.

The campaign starts tonight on TV, radio, outdoor billboards and online.

The 2008 road toll at midnight on 30 July 2008 stood at 184, compared with 185 at the same time last year.