It’s easy to catch drug drivers.

Driving on drugs is never worth the risk

Driving under the influence of drugs can destroy lives. Drugs can slow down your responses, making it more likely you’ll have a collision on the road. This can lead to severe injuries and even death, not just for yourself, but other more vulnerable road users including pedestrians, wheelers, cyclists and horse riders.

The consequences

Drivers providing a positive roadside drug test result will be arrested, taken to a nearby police station and typically required to provide a blood sample, which will be sent to a lab for analysis. If convicted, the penalties are tough.

What you need to know

●      It’s an offence to drive if you have over the specified limit of certain drugs in your blood – even if you have been prescribed the drugs by a doctor

●      Over-the-counter drugs can also affect your ability to drive – so if you’re not sure whether you should drive, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or a healthcare professional

●      Exactly how long a drug remains in your system depends on the type of drug and variables like your age, weight, hydration levels and drug tolerance

●      Most drugs stay in your system longer than alcohol – traces of some drugs will still show up in blood tests after 4-5 days

●      Taking alcohol and drugs together, even at low levels, combines their effects and multiplies the risk – the best approach is none