DRIVERS who think they’ll tempt fate and get behind the wheel with illicit drugs in their system better think twice, with Orange police now able to conduct random roadside tests for both drugs and alcohol.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Previously drug testing teams have travelled to the region once every three months to conduct the random roadside tests, however Orange police station now has its own Draeger drug test 5000 device.
The machine, which measures drug traces in the driver’s saliva with the use of an absorbent swab placed in the mouth or touching the tongue, will to be used to conduct random tests throughout the Central West including Bathurst, Blayney, Lithgow and Cowra.
A team from the Sydney-based random drug testing unit travelled to Orange yesterday to give Canobolas Local Area Command (LAC) police officers a final training session on the use of the machine.
Sydney-based random drug testing unit commander Inspector Steve Blair said the drug test device is the same as what’s used in Sydney and provides an accurate roadside indication of drug consumption.
Inspector Blair said the drug test indicates whether the driver has consumed cannabis, methamphetamines or MDMA (ecstasy).
“This is not about testing to see if the driver is impaired but testing to see if the driver has drugs in their system and if they do, they have committed an offence,” he said.
“We are 100 per cent focused on road safety.
“This gives police the capacity to go anywhere at any time.”
According to Inspector Blair once the driver tests positive for drugs they are then taken to the police station for a secondary test.
Inspector Blair said police can’t predict how many more arrests they will make as a result of the device.
“We hope the number of arrests is zero,” he said.
“We don’t want people to have illicit drugs in their system when they drive.”
Inspector Blair said the allocation of the costly scientific testing device to the Orange station represented “a heavy investment” in the Central West.
Canobolas LAC duty officer Bruce Grassick said the Draeger drug test 5000 was “another arm in our arsenal” when it comes to ensuring people drive responsibly.
“The training on the use of this equipment will be ongoing but the equipment will now be readily available to run operations,” inspector Grassick said.
“We’re warning motorists to be vigilant when they utilise their vehicles.”
tracey.prisk@fairfaxmedia.com.au
