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Source: ONE News -
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A new law cracking down on people who drive while under the influence of drugs is expected to pass through parliament on Tuesday.
Several interest groups and politicians are welcoming the legislation but some argue critical elements have been missed out.
Technically it is already against the law to drive after using drugs, but there have been no penalties and limited testing available so far.
Under the current law it is an offence when a driver is incapable of proper control of their vehicle which could include the influence of drugs. But it has been difficult to prosecute.
The new law would make it illegal to drive while impaired by drugs, would allow police to conduct a roadside impairment test if drug use is suspected and allow police to require a blood test.
Minister of Transport Stephen Joyce supports the legislation.
"It is long since time it should have been in the statute books" says Joyce.
A driver would be considered impaired if they had taken a class
A drug like cocaine or methamphetamine or a class B drug like
cannabis oil, hashish or morphine.
But it does not include a class of sedative drugs called
benzodiazapines which are available on prescription.
Rachael Ford's mother was killed by a driver who had used drugs and she is submitting a petition aimed at strengthening the bill.
"Half of the crashes that are caused by drugs involve benzodiazapines. There is a protection in the law for people taking them properly so we're just talking about abuse here," says Ford, who runs a campaign against drugs on roads.
The Green Party wants sedative drugs included in the new law.
"The key issue here is impaired driving, and therefore any kind of drug, lawful or unlawful, must be included in the legislation" says Metiria Turei, Green Party co-leader.
But Stephen Joyce says including sedative drugs is not possible.
"Unfortunately it's too late at this stage to include it in the final passage of the bill as it currently stands. But certainly I have some sympathy"
If the bill passes on Tuesday, the new drug driving laws will be in force by December.
