ONE in seven motorists on Leeton and Narrandera roads were tested for drug use last weekend as part of a crackdown by police.
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A specialised bus was in town to assist police with the operation that detected 19 drivers as having some form of illegal substance in their system.
Griffith Local Area Command Inspector Tony Reneker labelled those figures as "concerning".
"To have this many drivers detected with an illegal substance and in a short amount of time on our roads is very worrying," Inspector Reneker said. "It's not only a danger to themselves, but to others on the road as well.
"These kinds of operations will certainly be continuing."
According to NSW Transport, drug driving fatality crashes in NSW account for about 11 per cent of the road toll.
From 2010 to 2013, 166 people died in 146 drug driving accidents.
These crashes involved a driver or rider with at least one of three illicit drugs - cannabis, speed or ecstasy - in their system.
From January 2010 to September 2013 there were about 3900 drivers and riders convicted of drug driving offences on NSW roads.
Thirty-three per cent of these offences were in country areas, with 78 per cent of the fatal incidents also in regional areas.
Inspector Reneker said residents should be aware of drug driving and its consequences.
"Everyone is aware of the dangers of drink driving," he said.
"Driving while under the influence of drugs is just as bad if not worse.
"Hopefully the message is getting out there."
Riverina facts
2010 to 2013
-Six fatal drug driving crashes.
-Ninety-one drug driving offences.
