Pakenham has scored the unenviable title of the hardest hit suburb in the state for drug drivers, with 358 drug-affected drivers intercepted by Victoria Police last financial year – three times higher than the second-placed suburb.
Second-ranked suburb, Dandenong, racked up 114 drug driving intercepts. Police say Pakenham was also the most common place for drug driving offenders to live.
The latest police intelligence shows Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia accounted for 18% of all drivers caught under the influence of illicit substances – tripling the amount of the second highest region, Greater Geelong, which accounted for just 6% of the state’s drug drivers.
Close to 1,500 drug divers were caught across the region, with 58% of those being repeat offenders.
A quarter of those caught under the influence shouldn’t have been behind the wheel in the first place, as they were unauthorised drivers, Police said.
Methamphetamine was present in 69% of positive roadside drug tests in the three municipalities in in the 2024-25 financial year, with THC being found in 43% of the same tests, signifying a disturbing trend of multiple substances being detected in drivers.
Unsurprisingly, Greater Dandenong Casey and Cardinia also topped state for the number of collisions involving drivers impaired by drugs and or alcohol.
Frankston and Shepparton equally rounded out the third most common area for drug drivers to be intercepted.
“Anyone who makes the decision to get behind the wheel while impaired by drugs is nothing short of selfish, careless and completely irresponsible,” said Cardinia Highway Patrol Acting Sergeant Kristina Tabone.
“They are not only putting themselves at risk of death or serious injury – they are far more likely to cause a crash and take the life of an innocent road user.
“It’s not only extremely concerning that half of drug drivers in our area having been caught for the same offence before, but also reckless.
“We see too often the tragic consequences of poor choices on our roads. If drivers continue take illicit substances and decide to drive, tragedy is inevitable.
“That’s why we will continue to target drivers impaired by drugs – anywhere, anytime.”
