NEWS : 2.10.09 - Drug-drivers overtake drink idiots

[The-Munt]

Does anyone know the penalties if caught??

I assume automatic suspension of license. . .

Also, I agree with what someone said earlier, how often do you hear about drug drivers crashing?

I remember reading somewhere that after a small amount of amphetemines your reaction time with driving was slightly better than a sober driver. Think it was actually in a newspaper too. . .

 

[alfisti72]

Not trying to burn you, but I think you are missing the point. These laws are supposed to be about road safety, not the detection of drug users. I've heard some extreme cases of people being done by these tests up to, and even occasionally over, a week after they last consumed something. If you got caught with one or two pills or a little bit of weed you would most likely avoid a criminal conviction throguh a caution or a drug diversion scheme. Is it logical that if you took those pills or smoked that weed and was driving long after the effects had subsided then you get a drug conviction? That seems pretty inconsistent to me, the legal system is prepared to give you a chance if you get caught with drugs, but not if you drive several days after using them.

Having said that, some sort of tolerance/acceptbale level is never going to happen. Too may ignorant sections of society would kick up a god-almighty stink about how it was 'sending the wrong message'.

No burn detected! Unless i'm reading you wrong, we're actually on the same page. My additional point is simply that until we are LEGALLY entitled to take our favourite drugs, there is no point in complaining about the fact that there is no acceptable blood concentration. Because, at the basic, legal level, we're not supposed to have any blood concentrations of these substances at all...

We need to focus on legislatititve change at a macro level, and the micro stuff will most likely sort itself out!

 

[lil angel15]

Does anyone know the penalties if caught??

I assume automatic suspension of license. . .

See step 4 regarding suspension.

How will random roadside saliva testing be conducted?

Random drug driving tests will be conducted in a similar way to current random breath tests. A drug bus similar to a booze bus will be used.

Step 1: Drivers will be required to provide a saliva sample by placing an absorbent collector in their mouth or touching it on their tongue until a sample is collected. The sample will be screened at the roadside, with the result determined within approximately five minutes. Drug tests will be conducted by specially trained and authorised police officers.

Step 2: Drivers who return a negative drug test will not be detained further. Drivers who return positive test results will be required to accompany police to a drug bus and provide a second saliva sample.

Step 3: Drivers who produce a positive result to the second sample will be interviewed according to normal police procedure, and the sample sent to a laboratory for analysis. The driver will be provided with a portion of the second sample, which they may choose to have independently analysed.

Step 4: Once the process is complete, the driver will be allowed to leave, although they will not be permitted to drive their vehicle. No charge will be laid until the results of the laboratory analysis are known. Drivers will be informed within a few weeks if the laboratory analysis confirms an illicit drug was present and they are to be fined or prosecuted for an offence.

Penalities detailed below:

What are the penalties for driving under the influence of illicit drugs?*

• First offence (Traffic Infringement Notice) - $322 fine 3 demerit points
• First offence (Court penalty) - Up to $1,289 fine Six months’ licence cancellation**
• Second offence (Court penalty) - Up to $6,446 fine Twelve months’ licence cancellation**
• Third and subsequent offence (Court penalty) - Up to $12,892 fine Twelve months’ licence cancellation**

* These penalties apply to the 2006-07 financial year.
** People who lose their licence as a result of drug driving offence must undertake a drug education and assessment course
before being eligible to get their licence back.

Drugs & Driving - Victoria

The information detailed above relates to Victorian Roadside Drug Testing and would potentially be considerably different in other States and Territories. A quick search of the net should yield results for other states.

 

[puckboy]

I've come into contact with the police twice over the last year driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of marijuana. First time they took the weed, issued me a fine, then let me drive away (stoned). Second time they had no evidence (because it had all just been smoked). Although they could smell it strongly and knew we were under the influence, and when asked we even admitted to having smoked marijuana. But still, we were allowed to drive away.

Does anyone have experience with a police officer actually enforcing these drug-driving laws?

Disclaimer* I DO NOT condone driving under the influence of any illicit drug and especially alcohol.

 

[Sustanon]

I've come into contact with the police twice over the last year driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of marijuana. First time they took the weed, issued me a fine, then let me drive away (stoned). Second time they had no evidence (because it had all just been smoked). Although they could smell it strongly and knew we were under the influence, and when asked we even admitted to having smoked marijuana. But still, we were allowed to drive away.

Does anyone have experience with a police officer actually enforcing these drug-driving laws?

Disclaimer* I DO NOT condone driving under the influence of any illicit drug and especially alcohol.

I find it very very strange that they let u off after admitting u smoked beforehand.

 

[puckboy]

^
Yeah, I was quite pleased. They were convinced we were lieing and that we had more weed in the car, so they tore it apart searching for any kind of plant material lol.

Some cops can be quite nice. These guys just said "look, we know your just doing what young guys like to do, but please keep it to behind closed doors and not out here in a public carpark". Even though it was very late at night and not close to any residences at all. Then they left, and my friend drove me home stoned.

 

[Sustanon]

^
Yeah, I was quite pleased. They were convinced we were lieing and that we had more weed in the car, so they tore it apart searching for any kind of plant material lol.

Some cops can be quite nice. These guys just said "look, we know your just doing what young guys like to do, but please keep it to behind closed doors and not out here in a public carpark". Even though it was very late at night and not close to any residences at all. Then they left, and my friend drove me home stoned.

Dont u wish all cops were like that?

 

[puckboy]

^
Yeah

 

[Miguel Sanchez]

I've come into contact with the police twice over the last year driving a vehicle whilst under the influence of marijuana. First time they took the weed, issued me a fine, then let me drive away (stoned). Second time they had no evidence (because it had all just been smoked). Although they could smell it strongly and knew we were under the influence, and when asked we even admitted to having smoked marijuana. But still, we were allowed to drive away.

Does anyone have experience with a police officer actually enforcing these drug-driving laws?

Disclaimer* I DO NOT condone driving under the influence of any illicit drug and especially alcohol.

Sounds like youve been pretty lucky to come across some half-decent coppers. Bear in mind that if you have been fined for weed, you're "on the radar" so to speak. Dunno what state you're in but some of the police cannabis cautioning systems only allow you to get a certain number of cautions/fines before they charge you, so if you must drive aorund carrying & smoking weed ( and driving whilst smoking isn't a great idea IMO) you should probably be a bit less suss about it.

The roadside drug testing isn't like breathalysers for alcohol, they require specialised training and equipment and arent carried by regular cop cars. Sounds like the ones that pulled you over couldnt' be arsed arranging for you to be tested. But I think (and speaking from some personal experience here) theres plenty that would, if only to prove how powerful and important they are..