Gold Coast, Queensland - Leading road safety advocate and founder of Affordable Interlock Systems, Ron has sounded the alarm after new figures revealed that drug drivers are now involved in more fatalities on Queensland roads than drink drivers.
Data from the Department of Transport and Main Roads, shows that 49 lives have been lost in crashes involving drug drivers across the state in 2024/2025 - compared with 42 deaths linked to alcohol.
70,000 roadside drug tests were conducted by Queensland Police in the past financial year - a record - since the state’s expanded testing regime to include cocaine from July 2023 - with 1,000 positive drug tests involving cocaine have been recorded since the roadside tests began for the narcotic.
According to Ron , there needs to be a core focus on investing in public awareness, education, roadside testing and the continued use of alcohol and drug interlock technology for repeat offenders to keep impaired drivers off the roads.
“This report confirms that drug driving is no longer a secondary problem to drink driving; rather it’s overtaking alcohol as a leading cause of road fatalities,” said Ron .
“Quite simply put, the sheer scale of the numbers are frightening and confirm what many people involved in road safety have long suspected - drug driving is no longer a secondary problem. Everyone deserves safe roads and we need to tackle this issue head-on with a focus on education, testing and enforcement to ensure that repeat offenders cannot drive a vehicle impaired - endangering the public as well as themselves.
Since cocaine was added two years ago, police have detected the drug in 1,473 drivers, averaging 14 positive results each week.
Of major concern is that many of these drivers were also found with multiple substances including alcohol, THC, and methylamphetamine in their systems.
For Ron Mulder what is of major concern is the fact that drivers under the influence of drugs can’t drive safely and display greater risk-taking behaviour.
“Driving under the influence, whether it be drug or drink driving, is one of the leading causes of fatalities on Queensland roads,” Ron said.
“We must educate drivers that just because you chose a narcotic rather than drinking - the results are still the same, you’re driving impaired and under the influence and potential danger to others.”
The most commonly detected substances in Queensland drivers include:
- THC (cannabis) – 12,481 detections
- Methylamphetamine – 12,239 detections
- Cocaine – 1,473 detections
- MDMA – 768 detections
About Affordable Interlock Systems
Affordable Interlock Systems (AIS) was established to help people during a difficult time. We've partnered with a leading provider of ignition interlocks who has decades of experience in the field. The quality, ease of use and flexibility of the ALCOLOCK product line make them the devices of choice for drivers worldwide.
AIS makes it easy for individuals convicted of drink-driving offences to adhere to their jurisdictional program requirements and work towards reinstating their driving licence. Seeing an opportunity to help more Australians easily reinstate their licences after a drink-driving conviction, and without the customer feeling embarrassed, Ron established Affordable Interlock Systems in 2019.
With decades of experience across many different areas of business, Ron is so passionate about customer service and customer well-being that his personal motto has become “If it’s not right for the customer, then it’s not right for the company”.
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