Cocaine now detected in state's random roadside drug testing

Police performing random drug testing across Queensland roads will now be able to detect the presence of cocaine.

The roadside drug testing program has been expanded since it was introduced 15 years ago, and will now detect the presence of cocaine, alongside MDMA, THC (the active chemical in cannabis) and methamphetamine.

The announcement comes after the number of serious crashes involving drivers testing positive for cocaine has increased over the last five years.

Random drug screening has been used in Queensland for over 15 years, with police conducting approximately 50,000 random tests every year.

Police said, 1 in 4 motorists tested will return a positive result for illicit drugs.

Drivers who test positive for any illicit drugs face harsh penalties.

The could have their license disqualified, face fines of up to $2,167, with repeat offenders even at risk of receiving jail time.

“It is shocking to think that a quarter of all random drug tests in our state return a positive result, this is unacceptable,” Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said.

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“If you’re behind the wheel with drugs in your system, you’re not only a danger to yourself but to every other Queenslander and we make no apologies for coming down hard.”

“Drug driving is one of the major contributing factors to fatal crashes and after the number of lives lost on our roads last year, this change to the roadside testing is very timely,” Bailey said.

Queensland joins NSW in testing for cocaine with mobile drug testing.

Random driver drug testing is in place for every other state, but they only test for cannabis, MDMA, and methamphetamines.

Chris Stream, Queensland Police’s Acting Assistant Commissioner said “it’s disappointing that there are people out there who think it’s acceptable to be out on our roads while they are under the influence of illicit drugs.”

“In 2022, 61 people died as a result of crashes that involved a drug driver or rider, representing approximately 20.5 per cent of the lives lost on Queensland roads.”

“Police will continue to be out there targeting these dangerous behaviours on our roads,” he said.