A new public consultation document on the issue of drug driver testing will focus on improving the safety of all road users.
Associate transport minister Julie Anne Genter and minister of Police Stuart Nash announced plans for public consultation on options to improve the drug driver testing process.
“While drug drivers already face serious criminal penalties if caught, the current law makes it hard for Police to carry out higher numbers of tests that could deter drug driving,” says Genter.
“Unlike alcohol breath tests, drug tests can only detect the presence of drugs. They cannot test if a driver is impaired.”
Genter says the public want to be involved in the development of legislation as it will impact them.
“A considered approach to developing enhanced drug driver testing will mean we can develop a robust testing system that’s grounded in evidence and best practice. We need to do this thoughtfully,” says Genter.
“Last year, 71 people were killed in crashes where a driver was found to have drugs or medication in their system which may have compared their driving,” says Nash. “That compares to 109 deaths where a driver was found to have alcohol in their system.”
Nash says we need to do more to prevent drivers under the influence getting behind the wheel.
“Enforcement on our roads is a key part of this. However, Police cannot do this on their own. Every one of us must challenge dangerous driving behaviours when we see them.”
The government is looking for feedback on:
- The methods that could be used to screen and test for drugs
- The circumstances in which a driver should be tested
- What drugs should be tested for
- How an offence for drug driving should be dealt with by Police
