Police are encouraged by statistics that show drink-driving rates are declining, however, with 25,000 caught in a year; drink-driving and drug-driving are still key issues across New South Wales, NSW Police say.
End of financial year statistics show that there has been a decrease of 1406 drivers charged with drug-driving, and a decrease of 1562 charged with drink-driving.
Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the state's Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said statistics indicate some road users are getting the message, however, there are still too many who drink or take drugs and drive.
"A decline in drink and drug-driving, shows that the message is starting to get across, and that the community will not tolerate those who put themselves and others at risk.
"However, it is still alarming to see that there were more than 17,000 drink-drivers, and more than 8,000 drug-drivers on our roads in the last financial year.
"Every one of those drivers or riders have shown a complete lack of regard for not only their own life, but the lives of all others using the road.
"Evidence is clear that drink and drug-drivers are costing lives on NSW roads.
"We will not stop, and we make no apologies for catching and prosecuting anyone who thinks it’s okay to drink or take drugs and drive," Assistant Commissioner Corboy said.
Alcohol is a depressant, and;
-Slows your brain so that you can’t respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly
-Reduces your ability to judge how fast you are moving or your distance from other cars, people or objects
-Gives you a false sense of confidence – you may take greater risks, thinking that your driving is better than it really is
-Makes it harder to do more than one thing at a time – while you concentrate on steering, you could miss seeing traffic lights, cars entering from side streets or pedestrians
-Affects your sense of balance – a big risk if you ride a motorcycle
-Makes you drowsy – you could fall asleep at the wheel.
The ten worst suburbs throughout the state for drink driving during the financial year were:
1. Byron Bay (205)
2. Coffs Harbour (176)
3. Dubbo (155)
4. Griffith (144)
5. Port Macquarie (144)
6. Goulburn (99)
7. Ballina (85)
8. Blacktown (83)
9. Orange (81)
10. Tweed Heads (79)
If you take stimulants such as ecstasy, or any form of amphetamine (speed, crystal meth, base) you are likely to;
-Believe you drive better than you actually can
-Drive aggressively and take more risks
-Be overstimulated and lose concentration
-Have blurry or limited vision, and/or
-See things on the road that aren’t where you think they are.
The ten worst suburbs throughout the state for drug-driving during the financial year were:
1. Armidale (174)
2. Port Macquarie (152)
3. Goulburn (145)
4. Liverpool (113)
5. Nowra (107)
6. Taree (104)
7. Mudgee (87)
8. South Tamworth (79)
9. Young (77)
10. Griffith (75)
