One-in-10 drivers who were pulled over for a random drug test in New South Wales tested positive in the last 12 months, according to a new report by the NRMA.
The “Driving High” report calls on the state government to increase roadside drug testing to 200,000 tests a year – up from 160,000 in 2023.
The report also found that drug driving is now the second-leading cause of road deaths in NSW, above fatigue, drink driving, and not using seatbelts.
A total of 79 people were killed in drug related crashes in 2023, 24 more than in 2022.
In nearly 70 per cent of drug driving crashes, the drug in the driver’s system was cannabis, followed by methylamphetamine (43 per cent) and cocaine (seven per cent).
The overwhelming majority of drivers involved in fatal crashes who had drugs in their system were males (85 per cent) and drivers or motorcycle riders aged 20-29 years old (31 per cent) were the largest cohort.
Also, nearly 50 per cent of drivers who tested positive were in age cohorts 30-49.
NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury said drivers who combined illicit drugs with alcohol with were 23 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash.
“It is extremely alarming that one-in-10 drivers pulled over for a random drug test on the side of the road tested positive at the same time that we are seeing a huge spike in deaths – jumping 44 per cent in one year,” Khoury said.
“Too many Australians are driving high and it’s clear we need to ramp up enforcement and to boost education campaigns around ending this dangerous behaviour.”
The Driving High report has called for roadside drug testing to increase to 200,000 tests a year by 2026, more resources for high visibility policing, more public education on drunk driving, and a review of warning labels on medication and research into the effect of medicinal cannabis on drivers.
