05 Mar 2014
Victorians who drive under the influence of illicit drugs are being targeted in a TAC campaign hitting the airwaves ahead of the Labour Day long weekend.
The campaign features a young man sitting in a jail cell reflecting on a tragic night out, as a stark reminder of the consequences of driving while impaired by illegal drugs.
Drug driving is on the rise, with the most recent available data revealing 43% of all drivers and riders killed in 2012 had some kind of drug present in their system (including prescription medication and other legal drugs).
During Victoria Police’s summer operations, one in every 10 drivers tested for illegal drugs returned positive results, prompting a warning from police command on the dangers of impaired driving.
TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said the results showed that too many Victorians were yet to heed the warnings about the link between drug driving and road trauma.
“People are underestimating the harmful effects these drugs have on their ability to drive,” Ms Dore said.
The campaign message will be found in unexpected places, including 24 petrol stations across Melbourne and regional Victoria, 200 pubs and clubs and university campuses.
Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Robert Hill said he was disappointed by the number of people driving on illicit drugs, particularly amphetamines.
“These people are taking huge risks on the road, endangering their own lives and the lives of others. Don’t take the risk this long weekend.
“Victoria Police will be out there and we will catch you if you are drink or drug driving this weekend,” Assistant Commissioner Hill said.
The most common effects of drugs on driving ability include reduced peripheral vision (meaning tunnel vision), dizziness, blurred vision and loss of concentration. There is also often a false sense of alertness which can lead to over confidence and the inability to make quick and good decisions.
More information about the campaign and drug driving can be found here.
Improving the community’s understanding of how drugs affect driving ability is an action in the Victorian Government’s Road Safety Strategy 2013-2022. Find out more at www.roadsafety.vic.gov.au
Media queries only:
- Nicolas McGay, 0403 710 889 or Nicolas_McGay@tac.vic.gov.au
- Alex White, 0419 529 505 or Alex_White@tac.vic.gov.au
- Devon McGillicuddy, 0466 029 169 or Devon_McGillicuddy@tac.vic.gov.au
Please refer any other enquiries to:
- Online form
- Tel: 1300 654 329
- Email: info@tac.vic.gov.au