The “End Evidence-Free RDT! Billboard Campaign” by Who Are We Hurting? is calling for an end to evidence-free random drug testing (RDT) for drivers in Australia. The campaign aims to improve the accuracy of drug testing and ensure that road legislation effectively reduces road trauma whilst commenting on the lack of evidence supporting safety claims about current legislation.
Research conducted by the Lambert Initiative for Cannabinoid Therapeutics at the University of Sydney suggests current methods of drug testing drivers in Australia are not always reliable indicators of impairment. Studies have found that the presence of THC in a driver’s system does not necessarily indicate impairment, and current testing methods can result in false positive results. Further studies reveal cannabis-positive drivers are approximately 1.1–1.4 times more likely to be involved in a crash than sober drivers and are also more likely to be culpable for a crash. Notably, however, there have also been major recent studies in which no increases in crash or culpability risk were detected, particularly when drivers had low blood THC concentrations (<5 ng/mL). Overall, the increase in crash risk associated with THC is similar to that associated with a low-range blood alcohol concentration (BAC; 0.01–0.05 g/L), a level currently accepted as legal throughout Australia. Quoted.
Tasmania is the only state in Australia that allows unimpaired medical cannabis patients to lawfully drive, while impaired driving due to cannabis use is still illegal.. This means that medical cannabis patients in Tasmania who have THC in their system but are not impaired are not subjected to punishment or disqualification from driving.
The lack of similar driving defence laws in other Australian states and territories has been a concern for medical cannabis patients who require cannabis for medical reasons but may face legal repercussions if caught driving with THC in their system. The lack of legal protection for these patients can lead to negative consequences, such as the denial of employment or other opportunities. Our End Evidence-Free RDT campaign aims to support equivalent legislation change throughout Australia.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria has introduced a bill striking similar balance to Tasmania in allowing users to drive if they have a prescription from a doctor and their driving isn’t impacted by the medicine.
People in NSW can support legislation change like this by voting for LCNSW – Legalize Cannabis New South Wales party in the state election on March 25th 2023.
These billboards have been made possible thanks to donations from supporters and our experimental guerrilla marketing guru’s here at Craze Collective.
