COULD DRUGS CAUSE ROAD DEATH RISE?

Random breath testing almost halved the road toll by getting intoxicated
drivers off our roads. Seat belts and speed enforcement have also been
effective, but nothing has matched the effect of getting intoxicated
drivers off the roads.

An Australian insurance company survey found one in four male drivers under
34 said they had driven under the influence of a recreational drug other
than alcohol.

With the recent increases in road deaths paralleling the recent increases
in illicit drug abuse, is anyone asking the obvious question: "Could
intoxication with drugs other than alcohol be contributing to the increases
in road deaths?"

Dr Lyndon Bauer, Ourimbah, January 4.