Police have conducted a further Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive targeting school zones across the state, according to SA Police.
On Monday, 5 December, seven drivers were detected at morning drop off and afternoon pick-up times near school zones, testing positive to cannabis or methamphetamine.
However, only one driver detected was a parent or care giver attending a school; the other six drivers testing positive to drug driving were passing through school zones at peak before-and-after school activity times.
"It is alarming that some drivers consider taking illicit drugs before driving in areas near so many vulnerable children is at all acceptable," says Superintendent Anthony Fioravanti, officer in charge of Traffic Support Branch.
"The majority of the detections were not related to parents or care givers attending schools, but the fact we have these drivers in the general area of school children at peak times is concerning.
"Illicit drug use will distort speed and distance perception of the driver, confuse decision making and inhibit quick reactions to sudden changes on the road.
"Imagine the danger a drugged driver poses for young, unpredictable children as they run out of or into their schools.
"Police are encouraged by the fact that out of a total of 1,261 alcotests conducted, there were no positive results. It seems that the message not to drink drive, especially near schools, is getting through – we now also want to see drug drivers take notice.
"Operation Stop Drink/Drug Drive will continue as police try to reinforce the message that drunk, drugged drivers have no place on our roads; particularly around the most vulnerable and precious members of our community – our children."
Results – Monday, 5 December 2016:
A 35-year-old man from Yorketown, tested positive to cannabis when driving near a Yorketown primary School. He was on the way to collect a child after school. There were no children in car.
Six drivers without school connections:
1.A 40-year-old man from Woodville Gardens: tested positive to methamphetamine and also found to be driving disqualified. Detected in the morning passing through a school zone at Woodville Gardens.
2.A 27-year-old woman from Paralowie: tested positive to methamphetamine, passing through a Burton school zone in the morning.
3.A 40-year-old man from Salisbury North: tested positive to methamphetamine, passing through a Salisbury North school zone in the morning.
4.A 55-year-old man from Port Pirie: tested positive to cannabis when driving through a Port Pirie high school zone in the afternoon.
5.A 58-year-old man from Whyalla: tested positive to methamphetamine when driving past a Whyalla primary school in the afternoon.
6.A 45-year-old man from Port Lincoln: tested positive to cannabis driving near a Port Lincoln school in the afternoon.
