Driving under the influence of drugs had emerged as a significant factor in the road toll, along with speeding and fatigue, according to NSW Roads Minister Melissa Pavey.

Cannabis, ecstasy and ice have been subject to roadside testing and with the addition of cocaine to the list, the Orana Mid-Western Police District said it was a positive that further illicit drugs are to be tested.

“The road toll is something taken very seriously by police in this district and the last thing we want to see is locals dying on the roads” District Commander Superintendent Peter McKenna said.

Supt. McKenna said he hoped the testing of more drugs would act as a warning to the community not to take drugs and drive.

“People should not be taking illicit drugs in general, especially then getting behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. It’s dangerous,” he said.

“We’d like to see people be conscious and see how their actions affect other road users,” he said.

“Just because they think they will be fine to go for a short drive down the street and think it won’t happen to them, it’s simply not worth the risk. Other people can get hurt,” Supt. McKenna said.

He said in the area covered by the police district, officers will definitely do their fair share of random drug and breath testing in the hope to deter people from doing the wrong thing.

The police encouraged motorists to prepare and follow road rules.

“Take rest stops, drive to the conditions and do not speed. Do not drink drive and do not take any type of illicit drug and then get behind the wheel.”

Any police vehicle can be a Mobile Drug Test (MDT) unit, not just those from the highway patrol. 

Meanwhile, the NSW Greens fully supported cocaine testing, but called for prescription medications such as benzodiazepines to also be targeted in roadside tests.