Drug and alcohol enforcement in Australian land transport operations

This paper describes the extent of drugs and alcohol in road trauma, as well as discussing the application and effectiveness of measures to control drug and alcohol use by drivers, with an emphasis on commercial vehicle operations. In Australia, a major element of activities to reduce drug and alcohol related road trauma has been a deterrence based approach to enforcement. This approach has emphasized random screening of all drivers, rather than 'for cause' testing or mandatory workplace testing. An essential element of this approach is a strong publicity program linked to enforcement activity. The paper discusses the application of roadside drug testing procedures to reduce incidence of drug and alcohol use by drivers, particularly those involved in commercial heavy vehicle operations, and compare the advantages and limitations of methods currently in use in Australia and elsewhere, including workplace, roadside, random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing.

• Authors:
  • Potter, J J
• Conference:
  • International Truck and Bus Safety and Security Symposium, 2005, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
• Publication Date: 2005

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 568-75
• Monograph Title: Final proceedings: International Truck and Bus Safety and Security Symposium, November 14-16, 2005, Alexandria, Virginia, USA

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alcohol use; Behavior; Commercial vehicle operations; Compliance; Drivers; Drugs; Fatalities; Highway safety; Law enforcement; Traffic crashes
• Uncontrolled Terms: Road safety (human factors)
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• ATRI Terms: Alcohol usage; Commercial vehicle operations (CVO); Compliance; Driver behaviour; Drug; Fatality; Law enforcement; Road safety; Traffic crash
• Subject Areas: Security and Emergencies;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01388678
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ARRB
• Files: ATRI
• Created Date: Aug 23 2012 1:11AM