Victoria Police has enhanced the program over the past 6 years. However, without a comprehensive improvement strategy, it has missed opportunities. Victoria Police has not automated the program’s administrative processes, which is a key barrier to growth.
Victoria Police does not effectively monitor whether officers follow the program’s rules for conducting tests. As a result, it does not know whether officers issue temporary banning notices to alleged offenders. Victoria Police also does not know whether officers discuss support options with alleged offenders, use test devices correctly or have up-to-date training qualifications, which may reduce the program’s impact.
Research shows that the program has a positive effect on road safety. However, Victoria Police does not have a clear, overarching framework for allocating tests. Without this, Victoria Police lacks assurance that it maximises the program’s road safety impact. Victoria Police also lacks a single point of oversight for test delivery, as well as a public engagement strategy that covers drug driving.
This means Victoria Police may miss opportunities to reduce drug-related harm and make the most of the program’s limited number of tests.
Drug driving is a major road safety issue. In Victoria, it is illegal for a person to drive while impaired by drugs or with any amount of 3 specific substances in their system –methylamphetamine, MDMA and THC. Victoria Police’s roadside drug testing program aims to protect the community by detecting and deterring offenders.
This section summarises our key findings. Sections 2, 3 and 4 detail our complete findings, including supporting evidence.
When reaching our conclusions, we consulted with Victoria Police and considered its views. Victoria Police’s full response is in Appendix A.
We made 10 recommendations to address 3 issues. Victoria Police has accepted all the recommendations in full or in principle.
Download a PDF copy of Appendix H: Discontinued performance measures.
Download a PDF copy of Appendix G: New performance measures by department, by attribute.
Download a PDF copy of Appendix F: Departmental output changes.
Download a PDF copy of Appendix E: Departmental objective changes.