About 21 per cent of drivers tested across the Central Hunter, Newcastle, Port Stephens and Lake Macquarie local area commands so far this month have recorded positive results for ­illicit drugs in their blood.

There have been 202 cases of drug driving in the Hunter since June 8.

A smaller proportion of drivers tested positive to illicit drugs in other regional areas.

About 11 per cent of drivers tested in Port Macquarie and Wauchope returned positive results for drugs, while Kempsey had a rate of 17 per cent and Mudgee recorded a result of 16 per cent.

NSW Highway Patrol commander Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said the results were alarming and reflected dangerous attitudes of some drivers on regional roads.

“Those that test positive run the risk of losing their driver’s licence, their ability to get to work, and their ability to look after their families,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said.

“The message is simple: taking drugs of any kind before you get behind the wheel puts you at greater risk of injuring yourself, your loved ones, or other road users.

“With more and more drug testing units being rolled out across the state, if you choose to do the wrong thing you can expect to be caught.”

He said police would continue to target drug driving on the state’s regional roads.

Police have also issued 225 speeding fines, 36 traffic charges and 285 other road-related fines in the Hunter so far this month.

They have targeted unsafe driving recently as part of Operation Saturation, which ends on July 6.

Police have focused on reducing high risk behaviour like speeding, drink and drug driving.

Editorial