AN INCREASED focus on drug-testing of Northern motorists has paid off for Tasmania Police, with a fourfold spike in drug-drivers caught.
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New police data for July to December 2014 shows that Northern police caught 354 drug-drivers, compared with 80 in July to December 2013.
The figure of 354 drug-drivers was the highest in the state, with the Western district second on 230 and the South last on 171, and accounted for a fair number of the 759 caught statewide.
The significant increase in oral fluid tests for drugs, from 248 to 645 tests, enabled Northern police to catch more drug-drivers between July to December 2014.
Sergeant Nick Clark, of Northern Road and Public Order Services, said that during the past 12months police have had an increased focus on oral fluid tests and drivers under the influence of illicit drugs.
In addition, Sergeant Clark said police were still doing ‘‘a very large number’’ of random breath tests for drink-drivers and would continue to concentrate on drink and drug-driving.
In the North, there were 17per cent fewer RBTs conducted, from 78,367 to 64,906 tests, part of a statewide trend.
However, the number of drink-drivers caught remained steady in the North, with 337 offenders in July to December 2014 and 344 in the previous reporting period.
Southern police caught the most drink-drivers (801), while Western district detected the fewest (239).
Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs Council of Tasmania chief executive Jann Smith said that while the council was concerned about drug-affected drivers, the major problem was still drink-driving.
‘‘It’s very important that we maintain a very strong focus on the reality of what we have going on in terms of harms that are caused from drink-driving,’’ she said.
‘‘Particularly when we talk about the repeat drink-driver, we need to get smarter on how to respond, not just using the big stick approach.’’
THE STATISTICS
Northern road policing statistics, July to December, 2014:
●Total speeding fines, up 4per cent (214 fines)
●Seatbelt fines, down 17per cent (108 fines)
●Vehicle defect notices, down 43per cent (456 notices)
●Speed camera roadside hours, down 14per cent (388 hours)
●Speed camera infringement notices, up 99per cent (398 fines)