Police want driver blood tests
By NIGEL HUNT
23may03
POLICE want to regain the power to conduct blood tests on motorists they suspect are driving under the influence of drugs.
A submission requesting legislative changes to allow the practice to resume is being considered by the State Government. Police lost the power in 1999 when sections of the Summary Offences Act were repealed and the new Forensic Procedures Act – which does not cover the procedure – was introduced.
The move would provide police with evidence – as a blood alcohol level does – that could be used against a motorist charged with driving under the influence of a drug.
Assistant Commissioner (Operations Support Service) Graeme Barton said yesterday at present blood can be taken from a suspected motorist only voluntarily – which most refuse – unless they are injured in an accident and attend or are admitted to hospital.
Court cases are then often drawn-out and complicated as prosecutors call witnesses to try to prove their case.
"We are requesting legislative change to facilitate the taking of a blood sample, by a qualified person, of someone we suspect of driving under the influence of a drug," Mr Barton said. "It will show us what drug is in their blood, what level and how they are impaired.
"This is firm evidence for a prosecution and would cut the number and length of court cases."
Police say there is an emerging problem with drug-driving which they believe is increasing in line with the surge in amphetamine use in SA.
A seven-member police working group has been established to determine the size of the problem and devise measures to tackle it.
The group – comprising traffic police, legal officers and drug and alcohol policy section officers – is closely examining a trial under way in Victoria involving the random drug testing of motorists.
"If the Victorian trial is successful I would suggest it would not be too far down the track before all states in Australia adopt it," Mr Barton said.
Police figures show that 45 people were charged with drug-driving in 2002.
Research undertaken by leading insurer AAMI has revealed alarming levels of drug driving. The findings include that one in four male drivers aged 18 to 34 drives after taking recreational drugs.
"I think the community would be dismayed at the prevalence of drug-driving and I believe some sections of the motoring community use drugs rather than drink alcohol because of the greater likelihood of being detected for drink-driving," AAMI state manager Ian Badger said.
I am curious to know what time period would be involved for drugs to be detected in the blood? For example what would happen if someone had either a pill or meth, on a night out, at 2am, then drove home at 6am? I always thought that drugs could be detected in the body for a few days after the event.
By NIGEL HUNT
23may03
POLICE want to regain the power to conduct blood tests on motorists they suspect are driving under the influence of drugs.
A submission requesting legislative changes to allow the practice to resume is being considered by the State Government. Police lost the power in 1999 when sections of the Summary Offences Act were repealed and the new Forensic Procedures Act – which does not cover the procedure – was introduced.
The move would provide police with evidence – as a blood alcohol level does – that could be used against a motorist charged with driving under the influence of a drug.
Assistant Commissioner (Operations Support Service) Graeme Barton said yesterday at present blood can be taken from a suspected motorist only voluntarily – which most refuse – unless they are injured in an accident and attend or are admitted to hospital.
Court cases are then often drawn-out and complicated as prosecutors call witnesses to try to prove their case.
"We are requesting legislative change to facilitate the taking of a blood sample, by a qualified person, of someone we suspect of driving under the influence of a drug," Mr Barton said. "It will show us what drug is in their blood, what level and how they are impaired.
"This is firm evidence for a prosecution and would cut the number and length of court cases."
Police say there is an emerging problem with drug-driving which they believe is increasing in line with the surge in amphetamine use in SA.
A seven-member police working group has been established to determine the size of the problem and devise measures to tackle it.
The group – comprising traffic police, legal officers and drug and alcohol policy section officers – is closely examining a trial under way in Victoria involving the random drug testing of motorists.
"If the Victorian trial is successful I would suggest it would not be too far down the track before all states in Australia adopt it," Mr Barton said.
Police figures show that 45 people were charged with drug-driving in 2002.
Research undertaken by leading insurer AAMI has revealed alarming levels of drug driving. The findings include that one in four male drivers aged 18 to 34 drives after taking recreational drugs.
"I think the community would be dismayed at the prevalence of drug-driving and I believe some sections of the motoring community use drugs rather than drink alcohol because of the greater likelihood of being detected for drink-driving," AAMI state manager Ian Badger said.
I am curious to know what time period would be involved for drugs to be detected in the blood? For example what would happen if someone had either a pill or meth, on a night out, at 2am, then drove home at 6am? I always thought that drugs could be detected in the body for a few days after the event.
but no, the next paragraph said that important research such as this needs funding, and would I consider donating money... but it was interesting anyway. I gather they're trying to work out what an 'acceptable THC limit' might be for operating a car.
No I wouldn't imagine it is too easy, I have enough trouble with the playstation when I'm stoned. Now that would be an interesting blood test, operating video games while on drugs.
