NEW TAC SHOCK CAMPAIGN TARGETS CANNABIS USERS

14 Jul 2009

MEDIA RELEASE: Tuesday, 14 July 2009

Cannabis users who drive after having taken the drug are the target of the latest TAC campaign to tackle drug driving and reduce trauma on Victoria’s roads.

Premier John Brumby and Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas launched the new public education campaign today and said it was a graphic highlight of the impairments caused by cannabis and reinforced why driving and drugs was a dangerous mix.

"This latest campaign is part of our strategy to make Victorian roads safer and the message is simple – if you drive on drugs, you’re out of your mind,” Mr Brumby said.

“Driving on drugs is highly dangerous, so this campaign unashamedly targets recreational users, with the average age of those detected driving under the influence of cannabis tending to be around 30 to 35 years.

“Cannabis and stimulants are the most commonly detected illegal drugs on the road, with around 20 per cent of Victorian drivers killed in 2008 testing positive to these type of drugs.”

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

“Cannabis use affects a person’s ability to concentrate and react in driving situations. Research shows that a driver who has recently consumed cannabis is at the same risk as having a crash as a driver with an alcohol concentration above 0.05,” he said.

The new advertisement depicts a drug driver experiencing impaired mental function that leads to waiting longer than necessary at a stop sign, driving over the kerb and into the middle of the road and stepping into traffic.

Mr Pallas said the public education campaign, which starts on TV tonight, was part of the Victorian Government’s arrive alive road safety strategy.

“This TAC campaign runs for three weeks and starts tonight on TV, radio, outdoor billboards and online. We are committed to road safety, setting an ambitious goal to cut the road toll and reduce serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2017,” he said.

“Every Victorian killed on our roads is one too many. Responsibility lies with motorists to drive safely and all other road users to act responsibly and look out for each other.”

Since random drug testing began in December 2004, about 84,560 tests have been conducted with 1367 drivers (one in 62) caught drug driving.

View the advertisment here