One in three tested Queanbeyan drivers and almost one in seven tested Goulburn drivers were caught driving under the influence of drugs in July as part of a targeted police operation.
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NSW Police caught 60 drivers in Goulburn and 10 drivers in Queanbeyan behind the wheel while under the influence during random roadside drug tests.
The state's latest drug-driving operation in rural NSW caught 314 drivers who tested positive to drugs in 1900 random tests, or one in six drivers.
Officers randomly tested 399 drivers in Goulburn between July 15 and 19 and another 30 people in Queanbeyan on July 28.
Specialist Operations deputy commissioner Catherine Burn said the rural drug-driving figures were a shocking revelation that should concern not only drivers and passengers, but their families and other road users.
"We're seeing an increase in the number of people returning positive random drug testing results; in 2013 one in 47 tests were positive, compared to one in 25 last year," she said.
So far this year in NSW the rate has been one in 13, with 2452 positive results returned from 31,617 random drug tests.
In comparison, alcohol breath testing across NSW catches an average of one positive result for every 288 random tests conducted.
Of those NSW drivers caught driving under the influence of drugs this year, 46 per cent have tested positive to methylamphetamine or ice; 72 per cent have tested positive to cannabis and five per cent have tested positive to ecstasy.
Traffic and Highway Patrol commander, Assistant Commissioner John Hartley said drugs could give drivers a false sense of confidence and hinder their ability to respond to situations on the road.
"Combining alcohol and opiates multiplies the depressant effects of both drugs, even if only small quantities are used," he said.
"You will feel drowsy, uncoordinated and be more at risk of falling asleep at the wheel."
