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Police will double the number of random drug tests they hold in the next three years as the roadside drug testing program is expanded state-wide. Around 20,000 drivers are tested for drugs every year, with police to do about 40,000 tests by the end of 2012.
The roadside drug testing devices test for three types of illicit drugs, methylamphetamine (speed, ice), MDMA (ecstasy) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (cannabis).
Road Policing Deputy Commissioner Ken Lay said the expanded program would see more random roadside drug tests occur across the state.
``Police from all five of the state's regional boundaries will be equipped to greatly increase the number of random drug tests performed,'' he said.
``Drug drivers are an emerging problem for police and the expansion of this program will see more drivers tested and, ultimately, more drivers caught for driving while drug affected.''
In the 2008-09 financial year, 22,998 roadside drug tests were held, with 341 offenders caught with an illicit substance in their system.
This equates to a strike rate of one in 67.
