ABSTRACT
Drivers impaired by alcohol or other drugs were often detected in police checks. The Road Traffic Act allows for the testing of drivers for alcohol and other drugs. Laboratory testing for alcohol or drugs is conducted for the Police Department and the Coroner by the Chemistry Centre, WA Department of Minerals and Energy. Testing is for all categories of drugs and is not discontinued when a positive alcohol level or evidence of one drug is recorded. Road fatality data on drug involvement has been collected by the Chemistry Centre of Western Australia since 1990 and systems are being developed for linking this with other crash information held by the Police Department’s Research and Statistics Unit. Drivers stopped by police and suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol may be tested using passive or preliminary alcohol-testing devices. Simpson has identified a number of research and information needs relating to alcohol and drugs in transportation.
