DRUG DRIVING SO NOT A VIBE

Driving under the influence of any drug will have an impact on your judgement, how you make decisions and increase your risk of a crash. To get home sweet home don’t mix the two.

IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, APPROXIMATELY 26% OF ALL DRIVERS AND RIDERS WHO LOST THEIR LIFE ON THE ROADS HAD ILLEGAL DRUGS IN THEIR SYSTEM

CANNABIS AND STIMULANTS ARE THE MOST COMMON DRUGS DETECTED IN FATAL CRASHES

Crowd in front in stage with smoke machine

WHAT HAPPENS IF I TAKE DRUGS AND DRIVE

There are different ways that drugs will impair your driving ability, and if you combine drugs these effects can become even more dangerous. Let’s get granular…

CANNABIS

Cannabis slows a person's reaction time, distorts perception of speed and distance, and reduces concentration and coordination.

METHAMPHETAMINE (ICE), ECSTASY, AND COCAINE

Methamphetamine (ICE), Ecstasy, and Cocaine can lead to overconfidence, rash decision making and risk taking. Insomnia caused by ICE and cocaine use can negatively affect a driver's reflexes and concentration.

HALLUCINOGENS

Hallucinogens impact hearing and sight as well as the perception of time, distance and movement, and they can make a person sense things that don't exist.

GHB

GHB slows down messages travelling between the brain and body seriously affecting a drivers ability to drive.

KETAMINE

Ketamine can cause hallucinations and other changes in thoughts, emotions and consciousness.

COMBINATION OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL

Using a combination of drugs and alcohol can lead to extreme and varied effects such as dramatically slowed reaction times, visual distortion such as blurred or double vision, inability to judge speeds and distances, and increased risk taking.

HEROIN

Heroin clouds mental function and slows heart function along with breathing – sometimes enough to be life-threatening. There are also many other effects, which will all impact your ability to drive safely.

HOW WILL IT BE DETECTED?

Roadside Drug Testing (RDT) is conducted from alcohol and drug buses, marked and unmarked patrol cars, and police motorcycles.

Victoria Police can test you at any time using a roadside drug test which involves taking a sample of saliva. Saliva is used to detect recent use of an illicit substance. If you receive a positive test at the roadside a sample of oral fluid is sent to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine (VIFM) for confirmation. If the test is confirmed, you will be prosecuted for drug driving.

Over the past 10 years Victoria Police has increased the number of drug tests by nearly four times.

WHAT DRUGS ARE DETECTED BY ROADSIDE TESTS

Let’s be clear here, it’s not safe to drive after taking any drugs. Drugs can seriously impact your ability to drive safely and tbh, you never really know what’s in the substances you’re taking.

A standard roadside drug test will detect substances found in your saliva. Police can also conduct a roadside drug impairment test which is not limited to any particular drug.

HOW LONG DO DRUGS STAY IN YOUR SYSTEM

It’s almost impossible to know how long drugs will remain in your system as this varies from person to person and will depend on how much and which drug you’ve consumed.

The side-effects are long lasting and can cause fatigue, not a good combo for driving. If drugs are in your party plan, avoid driving all together and arrange alternate transport.

WHAT ABOUT PRESCRIPTION MEDS

Over the counter and prescription medications or misuse of prescription medication can impair your driving ability, even when used as directed. You should always talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see how medications may affect your driving.

Drinking alcohol with your prescription medications in general is red flag territory - check with your doctor first before mixing, and definitely before driving.

THE FALLOUT

If you’re caught drug driving, you’ll face:

LOSS OF LICENCE FOR SIX MONTHS

ATTENDANCE AT A DRUG BEHAVIOUR CHANGE PROGRAM

A FINE OF $611

As at 1 July 2025; updated each year

You can be given a penalty for:

FAILING A ROADSIDE DRUG TEST

DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED BY A DRUG

REFUSING TO UNDERTAKE A DRUG OR IMPAIRMENT TEST

The penalties will increase if you are caught more than once, or if you’ve committed other driving offences. You could lose your licence for up to a year and face large fines. For some offences, police may also have the power to impound your vehicle.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Whether it’s the day after a big night or the start of a new week, it’s important to remember that there is no safe level of drug use when it comes to driving.

While you may not ‘feel’ impaired – especially if it’s something you do often – the drug will still be in your system causing impairment (and is detectable by roadside drug tests). Don’t mix drugs and driving