Drugs and road safety experts have launched a $240,000 "drug-driving" campaign on the back of figures showing almost one in three drivers and motorcyclists killed on WA roads has taken illicit drugs.
They say while alcohol is often seen as a key culprit in accidents, cannabis, ice and ecstasy increasingly contribute to deaths from crashes.
The Drug and Alcohol Office, Road Safety Council and the WA Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies have launched radio and online advertisements warning that illegal drugs can impair driving ability as much as alcohol.
They noted that people also need to be aware that they can be tested for drug-driving at any time.
DAO director of prevention and workforce development Gary Kirby said the campaign would focus specifically on the harm caused by drug-driving.
"In 2007, illegal drugs were detected in 30 per cent of drivers and motorcyclists killed on our roads, up from 22 percent in 2006, and that's a worrying increase," Mr Kirby said.
"It is generally understood in the community that drink-driving is dangerous and that alcohol impairs your judgment and makes you a liability on the road.
"But it may be news to some people that drug-driving can end with the same tragic results."
A 2007 national survey of almost 7000 people found that about 90 per cent were aware it was dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol.
The survey also found that people's perception of the dangers of driving under the influence of illicit drugs was not as high, particularly if they used drugs themselves.
"In relation to cannabis and stimulant drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy, around 80 per cent of non-users compared with only around 35 per cent of users perceived it being dangerous to drive under the influence of drugs," Mr Kirby said.
National Drug Research Institute director Steve Allsop said the dangerous misconceptions about driving while on drugs needed to be dispelled.
"Many people underestimate the impact drugs and alcohol can have on their driving ability," Professor Allsop said.
"Part of the reason for this is that they might feel OK to drive on drugs.
"But our ability to react to emergency situations, or even just unexpected events like someone running out from behind a parked car, is greatly impaired."
To hear the radio adverts go to drugaware.com.au/drugdriving.
They say while alcohol is often seen as a key culprit in accidents, cannabis, ice and ecstasy increasingly contribute to deaths from crashes.
The Drug and Alcohol Office, Road Safety Council and the WA Network of Alcohol and Other Drug Agencies have launched radio and online advertisements warning that illegal drugs can impair driving ability as much as alcohol.
They noted that people also need to be aware that they can be tested for drug-driving at any time.
DAO director of prevention and workforce development Gary Kirby said the campaign would focus specifically on the harm caused by drug-driving.
"In 2007, illegal drugs were detected in 30 per cent of drivers and motorcyclists killed on our roads, up from 22 percent in 2006, and that's a worrying increase," Mr Kirby said.
"It is generally understood in the community that drink-driving is dangerous and that alcohol impairs your judgment and makes you a liability on the road.
"But it may be news to some people that drug-driving can end with the same tragic results."
A 2007 national survey of almost 7000 people found that about 90 per cent were aware it was dangerous to drive under the influence of alcohol.
The survey also found that people's perception of the dangers of driving under the influence of illicit drugs was not as high, particularly if they used drugs themselves.
"In relation to cannabis and stimulant drugs such as methamphetamines and ecstasy, around 80 per cent of non-users compared with only around 35 per cent of users perceived it being dangerous to drive under the influence of drugs," Mr Kirby said.
National Drug Research Institute director Steve Allsop said the dangerous misconceptions about driving while on drugs needed to be dispelled.
"Many people underestimate the impact drugs and alcohol can have on their driving ability," Professor Allsop said.
"Part of the reason for this is that they might feel OK to drive on drugs.
"But our ability to react to emergency situations, or even just unexpected events like someone running out from behind a parked car, is greatly impaired."
To hear the radio adverts go to drugaware.com.au/drugdriving.