Learner driver and supervisor positive drug test in Merrylands

A learner driver and his supervisor will face court after both returning a positive drug test during a vehicle stop in Sydney’s west yesterday.

About 1.30pm (Tuesday 3 March 2020), a 34-year-old man was driving a Toyota Camry along Warwick Road, Merrylands. The vehicle was seen to perform a u-turn over two unbroken lines. Police pulled over the vehicle and found the man to be a learner driver.

The man and the 46-year-old woman both returned positive results to the presence of drugs.

As a result, both were arrested and taken to Cumberland Police Station for further testing, where both again tested positive.

The man and woman were prohibited from driving and supervising for a 24-hour period, pending a final drug analysis and court action.

The man was also issued infringement notices for u turn across dividing lines and not display L plates

Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy of the state’s Traffic & Highway Patrol Command said to have both a Learner Driver, and a Supervisor test positive to a Mobile Drug Test shows a complete disregard for themselves, and other road users.

“Sadly, we have seen the effects of drug driving on our roads.

We know that drug driving has a significant impact on a driver’s ability to concentrate and properly control a vehicle.

Last year police conducted 166,351 Mobile Drug Tests, and prosecuted 8910 people for related offences, a ratio of 1:18. When you consider the ratio of breath testing for alcohol is 1:352, drug driving is a real risk.

Those that take drugs and drive, including those that are supervising learner drivers, need to consider the risks in terms of not only their licences, and their livelihoods, but the risks to their passengers and other road users,” Mr Corboy said.

/Public Release. View in full here.