1 in 10 NSW Drivers Tested Positive for Illicit Drug Use: NRMA Report

Police tape is seen at a protest in Sydney, Australia, on July 19, 2015. Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

One in 10 drivers in New South Wales (NSW) tested positive for illicit drugs last year, according to insurance and roadside assistance provider NRMA.

NRMA’s Driving High report, released on Nov. 25, found drug-related crashes continue to rise, with 79 lives lost in 2023, a 24-person increase from the previous year.

NRMA urged the NSW state Labor government to ramp up testing to meet the 200,000 tests per year goal set in 2018, pointing out that the state fell 40,000 tests short last year.

The report also proposes improved resources for policing and increased public education.

Second Leading Cause for Road Deaths

The NRMA report says drug driving is now the second leading cause of death on NSW roads, surpassing fatigue, drunk driving, and non-seatbelt use.

In nearly 70 percent of drug driving-related crashes, drivers tested positive for cannabis, followed by methylamphetamine (43 percent), and cocaine (7 percent).

Most drivers involved in fatal crashes were males (85 percent) aged 20-29 (31 percent), with nearly 50 percent of those who tested positive falling within the 30-49 age group.

NRMA spokesperson Peter Khoury revealed that drivers combining illicit drugs and alcohol were 23 times more likely to be involved in fatal crashes.

“Random drug testing sends the message that if you take the risk, you will get caught, and as we head into the Christmas party season, this serves as an important reminder,” he added.

Drug Driving Up 800 Percent

According to the NSW Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOCSAR) report released last month, the number of people prosecuted for drug driving offences surged from 1,409 cases in 2014, to 13,815 in 2023—a 836 percent spike.

This increase is attributed to the expansion of the Mobile Drug Testing (MDT) program and a rise in the detection rate.

However, the volume of roadside drug tests remains small relative to the number of registered drivers.

“This may limit the general deterrent effect of the program,” said Jackie Fitzgerald, executive director of BOCSAR.

Government Investment in Road Safety Measures

In response to growing concerns, the NSW government announced additional funding to support 230 new projects across urban and regional roads.

The funding is part of the Australian federal government’s Road Safety Program, which has invested $437.3 million from both state and federal governments.

This funding boost, totalling $518.3 million for 2023-2026, aims to improve safety across the NSW road network and reduce the risk of severe and fatal injuries.