End of the road for 'drugged up' drivers

Submitted: Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:22
ThreadID: 50629 Views:3351 Replies:7 FollowUps:10
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Hey this will throw the Cat among the Pigeons, I just got in the Email the News Letter from the RAC , WA. and I say , The more checks they do the better. And is Ben one of the first victims, if he is then good, but a shame to see a young man fall of the top rung of the ladder in such a way,

For too long drug users have put other motorists' lives in jeopardy.
They have driven whilst under the influence of illicit drugs with little fear of being caught. But October marks the end of the road for drugged up drivers.Roadside drug testing is now a reality across Western Australia.
WA police have been armed with kits which test for THC (the active ingredient in cannabis), methylamphetamine (‘speed' and ‘ice') and MDMA (‘ecstasy').
Drug tests will be carried out from the new Alcohol and Drug Buses. Individual roadside checks can also be carried out by officers who suspect a driver is under the influence of drugs.
After a driver is stopped, an initial saliva swab will be taken and screened. If the test is positive the driver will need to provide a second sample in the bus or they may be taken to another test facility.
THC can be detected in saliva for around four hours after use, while methylamphetamine can be detected for around 24 hours. However, the length of time that traces of each drug are detectable will vary depending on the dose and the individual's metabolism. Last year in WA, 25% of drivers involved in road fatalities showed traces of one or more illicit drugs in their blood.

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Reply By: QLD Kev - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:29

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:29
And good riddance to them when they get caught.
It should be mandatory testing for the whole of Australia not just WA.

Kev
Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Trace & Paul - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 13:30

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 13:30
I couldn't agree more!!!
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Follow Up By: DIO - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:17

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:17
Already in Victoria and South Australia. Has been for some time. WA is just starting to catch up with the rest of Oz.
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Reply By: Member - Tim - Stratford (VIC) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:54

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 12:54
Doug,

In Victoria the drug testing has been in for six or so months. A great step forward as I think our stats for fatals is 50% or more involving drug affected drivers.

Tim

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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 14:42

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 14:42
yes, they got off to a great start, sprayed some truck drivers face all over tele, papers, anywhere they could get it... this was Day 1 if I remember..

The problem was, he was not under the influence of anything, they GOT IT WRONG!!! So much for the cops wonderful investment.

ROTFLMAO!
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Follow Up By: Rock Ape - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 16:26

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 16:26
Agree, Truckster they flogged that poor bugger. They have moved on from that testing and refined it so it limits the false readings. There are still going to be some but thats the price we pay to get rid of the dangerous A##$%Holes out there.

Get up in front of the judge and say I am sorry, while the close relations have their lives destroyed forever.
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Follow Up By: Truckster (Vic) - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 10:18

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 10:18
>> . There are still going to be some but thats the price we pay to get rid of the dangerous A##$%Holes out there.

so you would be happy to be one of those innocent ones that gets nailed cause "its the price we pay".... what if it cost you your job, your career, your house, family etc.. ??
No, I didnt think so.

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Follow Up By: Member - Tim - Stratford (VIC) - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 10:24

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 10:24
Truckster,

I'd put up with being 'detained' for 10-15 mins if the first test came back positive for the second to come back negative - just to keep the drugged-up drivers off the road and stop them killing my Mrs or kids.

Small price to pay - and it has happend for years with alcohol. Mouth alcohol may give a higher reading and you'll be asked to sit and wait for 10 mins for another test - then all clear and off you go.

Tim
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Reply By: Dave(NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 14:40

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 14:40
Doug
As long as they test everyone not just truck drivers like here in NSW.
Cheers Dave...
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Follow Up By: Member - Doug T (Qld) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:59

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:59
Dave
You got that right ....spot on .
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Follow Up By: Gramps (NSW) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 19:20

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 19:20
Thought I could hear violins playing LOL

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Reply By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 17:36

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 17:36
Gday,
Yep I agree.
They should go one step further though, and make everyone over 50 do a driving test as a lot of things have changed since they would have sat a test. And if the total weight of your vehicle (including caravan or trailer) exceedes 4.5 tonne you should need a truck licence.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: QLD Kev - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 17:40

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 17:40
Hairy,

Why 50, only Kim would need to do it then LOL

I reckon everyone should do a written test every 5 years as the laws change that often.

Cheers Kev
Russell Coight:
He was presented with a difficult decision: push on into the stretching deserts, or return home to his wife.

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Follow Up By: Hairy (NT) - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:15

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 18:15
Hey...is Kim over 50????
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Reply By: Patrol22 - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 19:01

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 19:01
I agree about random drug testing being a good thing.....but no more bloody laws and regulations pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease - big brother already controls too much of our lives.
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Reply By: Chris VK2UW - Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 20:24

Wednesday, Oct 17, 2007 at 20:24
It should be done all the time in big league sports such as AFL etc.
People like Ben Cousins think they are indestructible, and imagine if he injured or killed your boy on the football field just because he thinks he is dugged out and thinks he is indestructible.

Get rid of it all altogether out of sports and off the roads.
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Reply By: Ozboc - Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:22

Thursday, Oct 18, 2007 at 16:22
I was on My Honda Fireblade the other day going for a cruise ( for those who don't know its a road bike ) Car pulls up next to me at a red light , and a very distinctive odor emanates from the car - i look over and there are a bunch of teens in the car smoking a joint - with a red P plate in the window -- needless to say i then decided to lane split to the very front of the traffic to get as far away from these drug induced inexperienced drivers.

Given there a red P plater they have not had there license long , and obviously they have not just began to smoke pot after they got there license , so with that said - i feel that ALL People applying for a license should be drug tested , whether it be the simple test they do now - or a hair folical test. I am still surprised at how brazen these kids were...
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