Government to start roadside drug testing

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the Coalition Government is introducing legislation this year that will enable roadside drug testing. Expect testing to begin late this year or early 2025.

He said “Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In 2022, alcohol and drugs were contributors to 200 fatal crashes on our roads. Despite this, only 26 percent of drivers think they are likely to be caught drug driving.”

Roadside drug testing was planned for early 2023 implementation. However, the authorities discovered that saliva test kits weren’t available with the level of accuracy required to meet the legislation.

Speaking at the launch of Road Safety Week, Mr Brown said that new legislation will be introduced this year to give the police the power to randomly screen drivers for drugs at the roadside. They will use oral fluid testing devices, similar to drink-driving enforcement. The roadside tests are evidently suitable for screening standards, rather than evidentiary standards which previous legislation demanded.

“Oral fluid testing is common overseas and is an easy way to screen for drugs at the roadside. Our approach will bring New Zealand in line with Australian legislation and will remove unnecessary barriers that have delayed the fight against drug driving.”  

The Coalition Government is committed to giving police the tools they need to improve the detection of drug driving. It will set targets for police to undertake 50,000 oral fluid tests per year once roadside drug testing is implemented.

Mr Brown commented “For too long, drug drivers have put other road users at risk with very limited enforcement. Those days are over, and anyone driving while impaired by drugs can expect to face serious consequences under our drug testing regime.”

Legislation should be introduced to Parliament by the middle of the year and passed towards the end of 2024.