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New Drug-Driver Testing Powers for Tasmania Police

Tasmania Police will be given greater powers to crack down on drug-drivers, the Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Jim Cox, announced on 3 April 2008.

Mr Cox said a Bill currently before State Parliament will give police the authority to conduct trace particle detection tests on drivers’ vehicles.

“Trace particle detection tests will dramatically increase the number of tests police will be able to conduct for people driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

“The danger of driving whilst drug-affected is immense, and it cannot be tolerated.

“Having an altered sensory perception and being behind the wheel of a vehicle is a recipe for disaster that may claim the lives of innocent road users as well as the drug-driver.”

Mr Cox said the trace particle detection tests could be done in a fraction of the time it took to conduct oral tests.

“Results for a trace particle test are available within 15 seconds after the sample is obtained, whereas an oral test takes about five minutes.

“This will dramatically increase the number of drivers who will be subjected to random testing for illicit drugs.”

Mr Cox said if a trace particle test returned a positive result, the driver would then be required to undergo an oral fluid test to check for the presence of drugs in their system.

“This legislation provides the necessary power for police to intercept and enter vehicles for the purpose of conducting a trace particle test.

“With this additional level of testing being available to police, the chances of catching drug-drivers will increase.

“It will also serve as a powerful deterrent to people under the influence of illicit drugs from driving a vehicle, protecting both their lives, and the lives of all road users.”

Mr Cox said drug-driver testing began in Tasmania on 1 July 2005, with 293 drivers testing positive for illicit drugs since that time.

People found guilty of driving with illicit drugs in their system face a maximum penalty of three months disqualification of their driver’s licence.

(3 April 2008)