An ACT Policing operation earlier this week proved terrifyingly effective, with one-in-six drivers subjected to a roadside drug screening test returning positive results.
On Monday July 22, ACT Road Policing officers conducted an operation on Athllon Drive in Greenway which included alcohol and drug screening tests, as well as roadside vehicle inspections.
After the first 12 roadside drug screening tests were conducted, ACT police officers took two drivers into custody for returning positive results to illicit substances.
While the screening samples require further analysis, the two motorists will face court should another positive result be recorded.
Since Saturday July 20, a further three motorists in Canberra have returned positive roadside drug tests.
The operation also resulted in three defect notices being issued to drivers who were behind the wheel of unsafely maintained vehicles.
Mark Richardson, the ACT’s Officer in Charge of Road Policing, called out those who are driving under the influence as “incredibly selfish”, warning those that do so to be prepared to face the consequences of their actions.
“Driving on our roads comes with the responsibility of being a safe road user. You are responsible for the safety of yourself, your passengers and other road users, so to even consider driving while under the influence is an incredibly selfish act,” Acting Inspector Richardson said.
“To see that two people returned positive results to illicit drugs in their system from just 12 roadside drug tests is unacceptable.
“Impaired driving puts you at an increased risk of being involved in a crash, endangering not only your own life, but other road users who are making the right choices.
“These types of operations will be continuing, so to those who are getting behind the wheel under the influence, be prepared to be caught and face the full extent of the law.”
According to the National Road Safety Partnership Program – delivered by Monash University’s Accident Research Centre – a quarter of drivers killed in road crashes had drugs other than alcohol in their system.
