Anti–drug driving
Driving under the influence of drugs is dangerous as it can affect driving ability. With side effects such as slower reaction times, distorted perceptions of speed and distance and reduced concentration and coordination—why would you risk it?Drug driving is on the increase with six per cent of motorists admitting to driving after using illegal drugs. The most commonly used illegal drugs are marijuana followed by speed and ecstasy.
There is zero tolerance for driving under the influence of illegal drugs. Police conduct random roadside drug tests to detect any presence of:
- THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannibinol)—the active ingredient in cannabis/marijuana
- Methylamphetamine—also known as speed and ice
- MDMA (3, 4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine)—the active ingredient in ecstasy.
These drugs can be detected in a simple saliva test.
A first offence carries a penalty of up to A$1400 and you could be disqualified from driving for up to nine months.
More information on roadside drug driver testing and the effects of other medications (including over-the counter drugs and prescription medications) on driving is available in the Drug driving fact sheet (PDF**, 69KB).
Mixing drugs with other drugs or alcohol can seriously affect your health and your ability to drive safely. You may not feel intoxicated, when in fact you could be over the limit.
- Never drive after taking illegal drugs.
- Never drive after taking prescribed or over-the-counter medications that could affect your driving.
- If you take any drug and you are unsure of the effect of that drug on your ability to drive, don't drive, use public transport, ask someone else to drive or catch a taxi.
For confidential help and/or information contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on +61 7 3837 5989a or 1800 177 833f (all hours).
Related information
aHigher rates apply from mobile phones and payphones. If calling outside of Queensland, STD rates will apply.
fFree call in Australia, call charges apply to calls from mobiles phones.
**While this department has taken every possible precaution with the creation of these files, they are downloaded and used at your own risk. Adobe Reader is needed to open and print Portable Document Format (PDF) files and is free to download from http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html. Various tools to enable access to these files for people using a screen reader can be found at http://access.adobe.com. Further information is available from the "Help with downloading, reading and printing PDF".
Last updated 05 November 2009
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