RANDOM TESTS URGED TO CATCH MOTORISTS USING DRUGS

RANDOM drug testing of drivers could be introduced under a proposal before
the State Government.

The West Australian understands that the Government's drink and drug
driving task force has made a submission that legislation be drafted to
help catch the rising number of people driving while affected by drugs.

The WA Police Service is also believed to have made preliminary inquiries
about obtaining portable roadside saliva testing kits to run a pilot
program to test for drugs.

Supt Bob Langford, who is on the Road Safety Council's officers support
group, denied any specific approach had been made to obtain the machines
but did not rule out the possibility.

Supt Langford said a sub-group of the task force was doing a review to
determine what could be done about drivers using drugs.

He said officers would go to Victoria next month to look at the model in
use there.

"We are looking at all the ways and means to combat all types of drugs
being used by drivers," Supt Langford said.

Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts said the Government would
back measures to target motorists who drove under the influence of drugs,
particularly cannabis. "If legislative change is required and recommended
then I will support this move but other measures may be just as effective
and could be implemented in the short-term," she said.

Victoria Police use trained officers to detect the use of drugs other than
alchool in drivers. Officers who suspect a driver's ability has been
impaired by drugs can submit them to a series of motor skills tests. If
they fail, police can demand a blood test.

The Victorian Government is drafting laws to allow for random roadside
testing for drugs based on a saliva swab. South Australian police are also
considering the move.

Roadside saliva tests, which can involve a swab which takes up to 90
seconds, can only be used as a preliminary test and a blood sample would be
required for a conviction.

WA Office of Road Safety spokesman Roger Farley said the drink and drug
driving task force would report its final recommendations in six months.

Research by a team of Queensland doctors has highlighted the danger of
cannabis use in young drivers.

Researcher Carl O'Kane, senior emergency services registrar at Townsville
Hospital, said cannabis use was emerging as a big factor in fatal
crashes. "Younger drivers seem to be substituting cannabis for alcohol,
perhaps to avoid detection," Dr O'Kane said.

More data was needed to determine the relationship between cannabis and
fatal crashes but one estimate suggested it could increase the risk by more
than six times.

Professor Laurence Hartley, of Murdoch University's Institute for Research
in Szfety and Transport, said amphetamines were a big problem with some drivers.