Lib push on drug-drivers
23jan03
A DEVICE that can test for illegal drug use could help police combat people driving while under the influence of drugs, the State Opposition said yesterday.
Infrastructure spokesman Brett Whiteley said the device, which only needs a swab of saliva, could hold the key to testing drivers suspected of being under the influence of illegal drugs.
"The Cozart RapiScan, or a similar device, may be applicable for testing drivers who police reasonably believe may be under the influence of drugs such as marijuana," Mr Whiteley said.
"Clearly the technology is available, or at least is on the horizon, to enable police to accurately and easily test drivers who they suspect may be under the influence of drugs."
Mr Whiteley said the State Government must continually investigate new responses to drink and drug-driving to complement existing strategies such as random breath testing.
"The Labor Government has a duty to protect Tasmanians on the roads but drug-driving is an area where it has clearly failed," he said.
Meanwhile, Police and Public Safety Minister David Llewellyn has expressed disappointment at the high readings returned by some drivers who were breath-tested during the Christmas-New Year holiday period.
"For 175 drink-driving offences to be detected in the 14-day period should be of major concern to the entire community," Mr Llewellyn said.
"The high blood-alcohol readings of some of the drivers indicate they are still ignoring their responsibilities to other road-users.
"When 0.05 per cent is the legal limit, for a driver to return a reading of 0.306 per cent is staggering, to say the least."
He said driving was a privilege not a right.
From
The Mercury. The testing device was initially reported a couple of days ago in the article
Tassie workers face new saliva drug test.
[ 23 January 2003: Message edited by: SeveredPsyche ]