POLICE are catching close to a dozen drug drivers in the Wodonga and Wangaratta regions each week.
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Statistics released by Victoria Police to The Border Mail show there were 583 confirmed positive drug tests to either amphetamines or cannabis, or both, last year.
Wangaratta is outstripping Wodonga for drug driving, with 397 motorists caught in the city.
That was more than double the number caught in Wodonga, with police charging 186 motorists in the area.
I think the results unfortunately speak for themselves. It’s concerning because it means that people are taking that risk.
- Senior Sergeant Darren Wittingslow
Senior Sergeant Darren Wittingslow said for every test conducted, about one-in-three or one-in-four were positive.
“I think the results unfortunately speak for themselves,” he said.
“It’s concerning because it means that people are taking that risk.
“They’re not taking their driving role responsibly.
“We prefer that no-one takes drugs and drives, but unfortunately the message doesn’t get through to some people.”
Senior Sergeant Wittingslow said drivers caught with the same substance in their system for a second time had their vehicles impounded.
They were also ordered to undergo a VicRoads licence review.
“We find that people who decide to take drugs and try to flout the law come from a variety of backgrounds, all different demographics and occupations,” he said.
The number of drivers caught on drugs since the introduction of roadside testing has steadily grown each year, but Senior Sergeant Wittingslow said the figures had “stabilised”.
