Drug driving laws getting a rethink

Press/Media: Expert Comment

Description

Coverage of drug-driving laws in Victoria.

Period30 Apr 2020 → 6 May 2020

Media coverage

2

Media coverage

Media contributions

3

Media contributions

  • TitleInterview with Nathan Reynolds (88.3, Southern FM) on drug driving and impacts on road trauma
    Degree of recognitionLocal
    Media name/outletSouthern FM 88.3 (Melbourne)
    Media typeRadio
    Duration/Length/Size20 minutes
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date6/05/20
    DescriptionDetailed interview on impact of drug-driving on fatality and serious injury crashes in Victoria.
    Producer/AuthorNathan Reynolds
    PersonsMichael Fitzharris
  • TitleInterview with Ali Moore (ABC Melb) on drug-driving
    Degree of recognitionLocal
    Media name/outletABC Radio Melbourne, Morning with Ali Moore
    Media typeRadio
    Duration/Length/Size9mins 57 seconds
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date1/05/20
    DescriptionInterview 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.
    PersonsMichael Fitzharris
  • TitleRoad safety experts welcome potential review of Victorian drug driving laws
    Degree of recognitionNational
    Media name/outletABC Online
    Media typeWeb
    Duration/Length/Size6min 33sec
    Country/TerritoryAustralia
    Date1/05/20
    DescriptionSource: 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.
    URLhttps://www.abc.net.au/radio/melbourne/programs/mornings/penalties-and-testing-for-drug-driving-should-be-reviewed/12204906
    PersonsMichael Fitzharris