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Risk that roadside drug testing could make roads less safe
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Risk that roadside drug testing could make roads less safe

Roadside drug testing is scheduled to take place this year. Some worry this will make roads less safe.

In 2022, alcohol and drugs contributed to 200 fatal accidents on New Zealand roads. (File image)
Photo: 123RF

The government says we will have drug testing on the roads by the end of the year. It’s been a long time coming, but some say it could make roads even riskier.

the government roadside drug testing scheme is one step closer to implementation, but drug experts warn it could penalize people who use prescription drugs and force them to use other undetectable and potentially more dangerous substances.

Under the plan, police will be able to conduct random saliva tests on drivers for drug use, with around 25 drugs, including cocaine, methamphetamine and cannabis, in the mix.

Drivers who test positive twice will be immediately banned from driving for 12 hours.

Positive tests will be sent to a lab and if drugs are found at levels indicating recent use, drivers will be fined and given demerit points.

“Ultimately, the message is very clear: we don’t want people taking drugs, driving on our roads and killing people,” says Transport Minister Simeon Brown.

“Our approach takes a much harder line… ensuring drivers are safer and people under the influence of drugs think twice before getting behind the wheel.”

In 2022, alcohol and drugs contributed to 200 fatal accidents on New Zealand roads.

But Amie Hayley, a senior researcher at Swinburne University in Melbourne, where police have been testing drivers for THC, MDMA and methamphetamine, said The detail It affected drivers who used prescription medications, including medical cannabis.

“Drivers who take medicinal cannabis for cancer, mental health or pain relief are not willing to put themselves in a position where they can be prosecuted for driving while taking a prescription medication,” he said.

“These people are often very conscientious about not driving when they feel intoxicated by their substance, but under current law, it doesn’t matter if you are intoxicated or not, it just matters if the substance is in your system.

“People are opting out of driving or, in other cases – and more dangerous for medical conditions – they will choose not to take their medical cannabis product and potentially take other substances that may be considered more harmful or heavier, so things such as opioid-based pain relief, but can otherwise safely pass a saliva test.

“So people are turning to substances that might go undetected but may be more harmful, so we have a vicious cycle where people could actually put themselves in greater danger by opting out of taking their medications.” as prescribed.”

New Zealand police are expected to carry out 50,000 oral fluid tests each year once the drug driving regime is implemented. They will be able to randomly test drivers for drugs, similar to how drunk driving is enforced.

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