The Road Safety Commission says new rules coming into effect on Friday (26 February) mean drug drivers will face an immediate 24-hour driving suspension.
Road Safety Commissioner, Adrian Warner said anyone who provided a positive roadside test to an illicit substance, or refused to take a roadside drug test, could be immediately suspended — and breaching the 24-hour prohibition would result in a $600 fine.
“These new rules are a common-sense approach to make our roads safer,” Mr Warner said.
“By automatically taking drug drivers off the road for 24 hours, we are removing an immediate risk that may exist for other road users.”
He said police had always had the power to take someone off the road if they considered that person to be a risk to other drivers.
“This new legislation takes a tougher stance and works to the assumption that if you have drugs in your system, you are a risk to the community and will be taken off the road immediately,” Mr Warner said.
“While the new rules will provide an immediate safety benefit by taking potentially dangerous drivers off the road, I am confident the tougher stance will also have a deterrent effect by making more drivers think twice before they consume an illicit substance and get behind the wheel.”
He said the 24-hour driving ban was a measure to enhance road safety and would not replace existing drug-driving penalties.
