NewsHub 6 August 2020
A Bill giving the police power to conduct random roadside saliva drug testing has passed its first reading.
The Land Transport Amendment Bill will allow police to test if drivers are under the influence of drugs anywhere, anytime, as they do now for alcohol.
Drivers who test positive for the presence of drugs would be fined, immediately suspended from driving for 12 hours, and lose half of their demerit points.
Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said 103 people died in crashes last year where the driver was later found to have drugs in their system.
“These are preventable tragedies and we need to do more to stop drivers who are under the influence of drugs from choosing to drive. This Bill signifies our commitment to keeping road users safe from the problem of drug driving”, Genter said.
The Bill will go before a select committee after the election.
READ MORE: https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2020/08/drug-driver-testing-bill-passes-first-reading-in-parliament.html
