The McGowan Government has drug affected drivers in its sights with funding for a record number of roadside drug tests.
A total of $7.4 million has been provided to the Western Australia Police Force to allow officers to conduct a record 42,500 drug tests along with more than 1.9 million alcohol breath tests in the 2019-20 financial year.
This represents a five-fold increase on the number of roadside drug tests carried out in 2013-14, when just 7,997 tests were carried out.
New penalties for drug affected drivers are currently being drafted and are expected to be introduced into State Parliament later this year.
The initiatives are part of the McGowan Government’s commitment and focus to road safety and determination to take dangerous drivers off our roads.
As stated by Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts:
“Driving under the influence of drugs is reckless and irresponsible.
“I don’t want mine or anyone else’s family to have to share the roads with these dangerous drivers.
“That’s why we are putting fresh resources into tackling the problem and why we will introduce tougher penalties into the Parliament.
“This is just another example of the McGowan Labor Government addressing a problem that was neglected under the Liberals and ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾s.”
