Two decades of roadside drug testing, over 70,000 drug drivers caught

The milestone reinforces a simple message to drug drivers: you will be caught.

Since testing began, 74,619 drivers have returned a positive result for a prescribed drug – almost one in every 12 drivers tested.  The positive results by illicit drug are -

• 37,016 tested positive to Methylamphetamine (speed) with no other drug present.

• 19,313 tested positive to THC (cannabis) with no other drug present.

• 460 tested positive to MDMA (ecstasy) with no other drug present.

• 170 tested positive to Cocaine with no other drug present (since 6 November 2025).

• 17,660 tested positive to a combination of the prescribed drugs.

SAPOL's roadside drug testing capability has continued to evolve, with cocaine testing added to the list of prescribed drugs that can be detected in November 2025, expanding SAPOL's testing capability alongside methamphetamine, cannabis, and MDMA.

In February 2023, SAPOL also gained the power to issue an immediate loss of licence to drivers detected with a prescribed drug at the roadside. Since then, 13,749 drivers have had their licence immediately suspended for drug driving offences.

Officer in Charge of Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Shane Johnson, said the milestone reflected SAPOL's ongoing commitment to reducing road trauma through proactive road safety enforcement.

"From 2006, roadside testing has been an important part of SAPOL's efforts to detect drug drivers and improve safety on South Australian roads," Superintendent Johnson said.

"The volume of tests we have conducted over that time sends a clear message – our officers are out there, they are testing drivers, and drug drivers are being caught.

"It's disappointing that we continue to detect drivers who choose to get behind the wheel after taking illicit drugs. I want to stress that if you are drug driving, you are putting lives at risk and you are risking serious consequences, including an immediate loss of licence.”

This year, 20% of the lives lost have been a result of drug driving. Over the last five years 89 lives have been lost as a result of drug driving, further highlighting the devastating consequences.

In addition to conducting more than 30 road safety operations targeting drink and drug driving each year, SAPOL also develops public education campaigns aimed at discouraging drug driving before motorists get behind the wheel.

Launched in 2024, SAPOL's ‘Reality Hits Hard’ campaign confronts motorists with the consequences of drug driving, highlighting the effects on judgement, reaction time, and decision-making, while reminding drivers that police are actively detecting and prosecuting those who choose to drive after taking drugs.