Media coverage
2
Media coverage
Title Tougher drug-drive laws Degree of recognition Local Media name/outlet Greater Dandenong Weekly Media type Print Duration/Length/Size 268 words Country/Territory Australia Date 5/05/20 Description Cites work being done iwth MUARC towards understanding the nature of drug-driving and impairment. Quotes (Police) Minister Neville (Victoria). Producer/Author Cam Lucadou-Wells Persons Michael Fitzharris, Sara Liu Title Drug driving laws getting a rethink in wake of Eastern Freeway tragedy Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet The Age Media type Web Duration/Length/Size 488 words Country/Territory Australia Date 30/04/20 Description Mention of MUARC research in the discussion of drug-driving laws, and potential review. Producer/Author Paul Sakkal URL https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/drug-driving-laws-getting-a-rethink-in-wake-of-eastern-freeway-tragedy-20200430-p54omz.html Persons Michael Fitzharris, Sara Liu
Media contributions
3Media contributions
Title Interview with Nathan Reynolds (88.3, Southern FM) on drug driving and impacts on road trauma Degree of recognition Local Media name/outlet Southern FM 88.3 (Melbourne) Media type Radio Duration/Length/Size 20 minutes Country/Territory Australia Date 6/05/20 Description Detailed interview on impact of drug-driving on fatality and serious injury crashes in Victoria. Producer/Author Nathan Reynolds Persons Michael Fitzharris Title Interview with Ali Moore (ABC Melb) on drug-driving Degree of recognition Local Media name/outlet ABC Radio Melbourne, Morning with Ali Moore Media type Radio Duration/Length/Size 9mins 57 seconds Country/Territory Australia Date 1/05/20 Description Interview with Monash University Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris. Moore discusses drug tests on roads. She says the Government flagged a major review of drug driving laws following the Eastern Freeway incident. Moore recalls Porsche driver Richard Pusey was charged with nine offences, including drug offences. Fitzharris explains drug driving is a significant contributing factor to death tolls on roads. Moore plays a recording of Police Minister Lisa Neville recognising the problem with drug use on roads and the need to review laws around drug driving. Fitzharris thinks young people are drinking less alcohol but there has been an increase in the accessibility of methamphetamines, recalling the Victorian Parliament's inquiry on drug use. He notes Victoria is the first in the world to have fluid testing on road sites. Fitzharris says the technology on swab testing has improved and samples are taken to the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine for lab analysis. He discusses the issues on ways of testing different fluids. Fitzharris thinks penalties should be a major part of drug driving test reviews. He discusses the correlation of overspeeding to road accidents and how methamphetamines affect overspeeding. Fitzharris further tackles medical cannabis. Persons Michael Fitzharris Title Road safety experts welcome potential review of Victorian drug driving laws Degree of recognition National Media name/outlet ABC Online Media type Web Duration/Length/Size 6min 33sec Country/Territory Australia Date 1/05/20 Description Source: ABC Online
With more than half of the fatalities on Victorian roads linked to drug driving, experts at the Monash University Accident Research Centre are welcoming a possible State Government review of roadside drug testing and penalties.
Associate Professor Michael Fitzharris believes there is scope to do more about all substances, particularly ice.
"We know that methamphetamine is incredibly addictive," he told Ali Moore.
"All the international studies around the world have shown a massive increase in crash risk associated with methamphetamine to the point where any use is pretty disastrous for everyone on the road."
Yesterday, Police Minister Lisa Neville said: "we're going to have to think as a community [about] doing something differently" around drug-driving.URL https://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/mornings/penalties-and-testing-for-drug-driving-should-be-reviewed/12204906 Persons Michael Fitzharris