AUSTRALIA: ROADSIDE DRUG TESTING

Institute of Transportation Engineers. ITE Journal, Feb 2005

On December 13, 2004, motorists in Victoria, Australia, became the first in the world to be subject to random roadside saliva testing for illegal drugs. The police now will use equipment to test whether motorists recently have used cannabis or methamphetamine-based drugs. According to a media release from the Victoria Minister for Police and Emergency Services: "A total of 31 percent of drivers killed in Victoria tested positive for drugs other than alcohol."

A zero-tolerance approach is taken regarding drugged driving because there is no legally accepted level of illicit drugs. Motorists who return positive laboratory results for cannabis or methamphetamines will incur varying levels of monetary penalties, demerit points and license suspension. Additional information, including frequently asked questions, testing procedures, penalties, initiatives and education, is accessible via www. arrivealive.vic.gov.au/c_drugsAD.html.