NSW Police detected 35 drivers testing positive to drugs during the National Day of Drug Testing earlier this week, NSW Police say.
Monday (20 March 2016), was the National Day of Drug testing, with police agencies all around Australia testing drivers – primarily driving heavy vehicles – for drugs.
In NSW, officers from the NSW Police Traffic & Highway Patrol Command with the assistance of Local Area Commands across the State, spent a day pulling over trucks and other vehicles and testing drivers for drugs.
Throughout the day officers tested a total of 2841 drivers, including 1799 truck drivers. Of the drivers tested, 35 drivers – including 20 truck drivers – returned positive readings.
For each driver that returned a positive reading, officers suspended their licence on the spot. A further test will be undertaken before potential charges are laid.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the state's Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said the national day of drug testing was part of a broader strategy under 'Operation Austrans'.
"All state and territory police and road agencies participate annually, focussing on heavy vehicle safety and compliance.
"Mobile Drug Testing is an important part of ensuring that those that drive freight around Australia do so safely.
"Those that we detect are put off the roads where samples provided are subject of further analysis, pending court action, putting their licence, and livelihood at great risk.
"Given the number of tests undertaken on Monday, these results are certainly an indicator that drug driving is not tolerated on NSW roads," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
