A study examining the experiences of 100 Victorian drug drivers has uncovered significant confusion about road safety laws and exposed critical weaknesses in current approaches to tackling drug driving in Victoria. The research, conducted by Turning Point at Monash University and commissioned by the Transport Accident Commission, reveals that many drivers fundamentally misunderstand Victoria’s legislation and continue to drive after consuming illegal substances despite the risks.

Widespread Confusion Over Drug Driving in Victoria

The study found substantial uncertainty amongst participants regarding the specifics of Victoria’s laws. Many drivers were unclear about which drugs are tested during roadside checks, how testing is conducted, and whether the laws apply to prescribed medications such as medicinal cannabis.

Currently, Victoria Police conduct roadside drug tests using oral fluid samples to detect three substances: THC (the active component in cannabis), methamphetamine, and MDMA. If a driver tests positive, they must provide a second sample which is sent to a laboratory. A confirmed positive result leads to criminal charges.

However, participants consistently rejected the legal definition that drug driving simply means having detectable drugs in one’s system. Instead, they defined it as driving whilst impaired: a fundamental disconnect that undermines efforts to address drug driving in Victoria.

The Knowledge Gap Crisis

The research highlighted a troubling gap in education and prevention strategies. Whilst enforcement measures are prominent, systematic education programmes remain largely absent from Victoria’s approach to drug driving.

Study participants reported surprise when authorities detected them, suggesting they had not internalised clear messages that any drug use before driving is unacceptable. Many participants had long-standing patterns of substance use linked to mental health issues or work conditions, yet no one had ever offered them structured support to change these behaviours.

Alarmingly, the study found that law enforcement countermeasures did not appear to have a major or consistent impact on whether participants chose to drive whilst on drugs. For many, drug driving in Victoria was described not as a deliberate decision but as an inevitable consequence of being both a driver and a drug user.

When Education and Prevention Fail

The findings reveal that existing campaigns have failed to reach their target audience effectively. Participants frequently cited a lack of accurate, accessible information about the laws, crash risks, and testing methodology related to drug driving in Victoria.

Moreover, many viewed current enforcement as purely punitive rather than educational. Only a small number of participants reported positive experiences with behaviour change programmes, typically attributing these to facilitators with lived experience rather than programme content itself.

Attending mandatory programmes posed significant challenges for regional participants and those with caring or employment responsibilities: practical barriers that undermine efforts to reduce drug driving in Victoria.

The Role of Transport Infrastructure

The study uncovered an often-overlooked factor: transport accessibility. Participants consistently described driving as the dominant—and often only viable—form of transport, associated with freedom, convenience and comfort.

In contrast, many spoke about the inaccessibility and unavailability of alternative transport options. For some participants, drug driving occurred during unexpected or serious situations, such as escaping family violence or meeting urgent caring responsibilities. In these instances, driving was perceived as necessary or the safest available option.

This highlights how tackling drug driving in Victoria must extend beyond individual behaviour change to address structural factors that make private vehicle use unavoidable for many residents.

Opportunities for Strengthening Victoria’s Response

The research identifies several opportunities to enhance responses to drug driving in Victoria:

Education and Communication
Developing clear, accessible educational materials that explain current laws, testing procedures, and evidence-based crash risk information. Public campaigns must explicitly communicate that any drug use before driving is socially and morally unacceptable, not merely technically illegal.

Early Intervention
Implementing evidence-based prevention across schools, workplaces, families and communities to delay initiation and reduce substance use. This encompasses skill-building, alternative activities, and structural supports that make reduced use realistic and attractive.

Professional Capacity Building
Training police, legal professionals, and programme facilitators to provide accurate, respectful information. This includes implementing communication resources and promoting evidence-based language guidelines.

Targeted Strategies
Consulting with diverse groups to co-design tailored approaches that align with specific population needs, particularly for regional and marginalised communities.

A Call for Comprehensive Reform

The study’s authors recommend a fundamental reframing of the issue as a central prevention priority rather than a niche enforcement matter. This requires policy commitments that tie funding and performance measures to reductions in drug use prevalence and frequency, particularly in relation to driving.

Critically, the research suggests that contact points which could trigger behaviour change (police stops, courts, health services) rarely connect individuals to credible, evidence-based programmes focused on abstinence from driving after drug use.

The 100 participants in this qualitative study represent voices that are rarely heard in policy discussions. Their experiences reveal that current approaches communicate that the system will test and punish, but will not consistently invest in helping people change their behaviour.

As Victoria grapples with ongoing road safety challenges, this research provides valuable insights for developing more effective, accessible, and comprehensive strategies that address both individual behaviour and the broader structural factors contributing to drug driving in Victoria.

Source: Turning Point AU