KEY POINTS:
A bill to create a new offence of driving under the influence of illegal drugs is set to be tabled in Parliament within weeks.
The new offence would attract the same penalties as drink driving. Police would not conduct random tests on drivers but would have to initiate drug tests if they believed a driver was impaired.
Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven gave Parliament's transport committee a briefing this morning.
His officials told the committee the Transport Amendment Bill had been drafted and was almost ready for its first reading.
A spokesman for Transport Minister Annette King said the bill also proposed measures to improve protection for personal information held on the Motor Vehicle Register, and restricting access for marketing purposes.
It would update definitions and enact measures to improve and modernise the register.
Another bill - the Land Transport Legislation Amendment Bill - would not be ready until near the end of the year, officials told the committee.
NZ First MP Peter Brown - whose request for an inquiry into driving practices was the reason for today's hearing - said his party would seek to add to the bill tougher penalties for recidivist drink drivers.
He said first time offenders should get a written warning, have their car clamped on their property on a second offence and lose it altogether if they offended again.
Mr Duynhoven said he would give the suggestions serious consideration.
Ms King's office said second bill would include changes associated with the Road Safety to 2010 project, a major review of local authority enforcement activities and bylaw making powers, the evaluation of all outstanding legislative provisions contained in those Acts subject to the sunset clause date, as well as identified miscellaneous legislative changes.
It should be introduced this year.
Mr Duynhoven told the committee the road toll as of yesterday was 15 more than at the same time last year. However numbers generally did fluctuate within a year.
Last year's toll of 391 was the lowest in 50 years and Mr Duynhoven said on a per 10,000 vehicles basis the road toll had halved since 1998.
Mr Duynhoven told the committee a range of policy was being considered in: young and novice drivers and the graduated licensing system; changing penalties for speeding, intersection and seatbelt offences; drunk driving; road safety strategy, motorcycle safety.
Mr Duynhoven would not give away details of what the Government favoured but readily told the committee his personal opinion.
He was not convinced lowering the legal blood alcohol level would work, but thought it a good idea to make new drivers to start the process again if they breached restricted licences conditions.
He felt there were problems with restricting what power of vehicle a young driver could use, e.g. it was difficult for police to enforce.
He preferred compulsory third party insurance which would see high risk groups - including those with powerful vehicles - paying higher premiums.
He also had concerns about the registration system, saying it would be better to focus on vehicle safety.
- NZPA
