Push to drug-test drink-drivers
Road safety researchers want WA Police to change its policy on not drug-testing drivers who fail an alcohol breath test.
They are concerned the policy hides the extent of people driving after using illicit drugs.
The Curtin Monash Accident Research Centre also wants the WA Government to create a specific "combined impairment" charge similar to one in Victoria for those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
In a recent report, the centre's researchers said there was a high likelihood that at present a "good proportion" of drivers who tested positive for alcohol at an random breath test would have used an illicit drug that would not be detected.
It found nearly a quarter of drivers and riders killed on WA roads between 2000 and 2012 had illicit drugs in their system and almost half had a blood alcohol reading over 0.05.
They said drug testing was not done because the penalty for drink-driving was usually more than for an illicit drug offence and there was an additional cost to drug-test a driver who already faced a penalty.
Shadow road safety minister Michelle Roberts said cost was the major inhibitor for police and funds in the Road Trauma Trust Account should have been used years ago to allow police to do drug testing.
"There's $80 million in the account and they are only now talking about spending that money on increased drug testing," she said.
Anti-drink-driving campaigner Tom Davies from Enough is Enough said he was baffled why drink-drivers did not automatically qualify for further tests.
"If mining companies can test all their employees before they step on to a site, why can't we test drivers who already test positive for alcohol," Mr Davies said.
State Traffic Commander Craig Donaldson said police tested drivers and riders for impairment, which included alcohol and illicit drug use.
"Offences related to this high-risk behaviour are a key focus of enforcement activities as impairment is a significant contributing factor in serious and fatal crashes on WA roads," he said.
Cdr Donaldson said the report would be reviewed and methods and laws in other jurisdictions would be examined to determine whether they were appropriate.
Road Safety Council chairman Murray Lampard said he was concerned at the prevalence of positive roadside drug tests and the issue was being looked at.
Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said a further $5.5 million was allocated through the RTTA in the State Budget to increase alcohol and drug testing.
