FIVE people in a row were caught driving while affected by methamphetamine within two-and-a-half hours on Saturday morning in Bunbury.
South West Traffic officer-in-charge Sergeant Craig Clarke said while the drug spate was unusual, it was disappointing to see drivers putting themselves and others in serious danger.
Sergeant Clarke said drug testing was not as prolific as alcohol testing in the South West, but drivers needed to be aware that they could be subject to a drug test anytime, anywhere.
“More officers are getting trained to test drivers for drugs all the time,” he said.
“It seems that members of the community think driving with drugs in your system is more socially acceptable than drink driving, because of all the education and awareness around the dangers of alcohol over the years – hopefully that will change.”
Sergeant Clarke said it was wrong to assume that meth users were typically young and did not know any better, as the five drivers caught under the influence on a local road were aged between 31 and 47.
“You would think at this age people have families, commitments, mortgages, but they are still choosing to have this extremely dangerous and horrible drug,” he said.
Sergeant Clarke reminded drivers that methamphetamine typically stays in the system for about three days and any amount that registered in a drug test would lead to a charge.
