- Hon Chris Bishop
The Police are on track to have powers to screen drivers for impairing drugs after legislation to enable roadside drug testing passed its third reading today, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
"Drivers who consume
impairing drugs are a significant danger on our roads. In recent years, around
30 percent of road deaths have resulted from crashes involving drivers who had
consumed impairing prescription or illicit drugs," Mr Bishop says.
"The Government's road
safety strategy targets the highest contributing factors to fatal road crashes.
The new roadside testing regime will be a key road safety tool because it will
allow Police to better detect and deter drug-impaired drivers.
"The Government Q1 Action
Plan committed to passing legislation by 31 March 2025 to enable roadside drug
testing, and I'm pleased to say we have delivered on that
commitment.
"The oral fluid testing
regime will give Police the power to screen drivers for drugs at the roadside
using oral fluid testing devices without the need to suspect drug use, similar
to drink-driving enforcement.
"Two positive roadside
screening tests will be required before a driver is prohibited from driving for
12 hours, to address any immediate road safety risk. They will only be issued
with an infringement penalty following a positive result from a laboratory
test.
"Drivers who refuse to
undergo a drug screening test will be issued with an infringement penalty.
"The Government Policy
Statement on Land Transport 2024 outlines our expectation that Police undertake
50,000 oral fluid tests per year. I expect this target to be delivered once the
roadside drug testing regime is rolled out. We are targeting December 2025,
once the necessary operational matters and regulations are in place."
