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Roadside Drug Testing (NT)

lil angel15

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Roadside drug tests for drivers
NICK CALACOURAS
29Nov07

TERRITORY drivers will be forced to take roadside drug tests under tough new laws.

Police will have the power to perform saliva tests on suspicious drivers and blood tests after car accidents. Truck drivers will also face random drug road tests.

The Northern Territory is the only jurisdiction in the country that cannot test for drugs.

A pilot study last year revealed 29 per cent of people detained by Territory police for driving offences tested positive to illicit drugs.

Transport Minister Delia Lawrie said there had been many serious and fatal accidents where police knew drugs were the cause but were not able to prosecute because the Territory could test only for alcohol.

"This is unacceptable," Ms Lawrie said.

"Why should the wider community in the Territory have to put up with drivers taking drugs and driving on our roads with apparent impunity from the consequences of their behaviour?"

She said some people drove under the influence of drugs because they knew police couldn't test them.

"The NT Trucking Association executive officer Peter Goed endorsed the new police powers.

"I know there is an impression that drivers are all druggies - but it's a relatively minor problem," he said.

"But we have zero tolerance when it comes to any sort of drugs."

Mr Goed said random roadside testing sent a message to all truck drivers.

"We have a limited number of roads, so we think we should be able to monitor the roads quite closely," he said.

Mr Goed said that he had heard of drivers using amphetamines to stay awake.

But there were also drivers with alcohol and marijuana problems, he said.

The Drug Driving Bill was introduced to parliament yesterday and is expected to pass next year.

NT News
 
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