New law targets drivers on drugs

Police will have new powers to deal with drivers on drugs under legislation passed last night.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce said "very disturbing statistics" showed how important it was to bring in the new laws.

He told Parliament that Massey University drug researchers had found through surveys that 90 per cent of P users and 62 per cent of Ecstasy users had driven under the influence of a drug other than alcohol during a six-month period.

"Many reported driving too fast, losing concentration, losing their temper at another driver, driving through a red light and nearly hitting something while driving under the influence of a drug," he said.

"People who drive while their judgment and reactions are impaired by drugs - and by that I mean both controlled drugs and prescription medicines - are a danger to themselves and others."

Under the Land Transport Amendment Bill (No 4), which comes into force on December 1, police can decide through a compulsory impairment test whether a driver is impaired.

If the test shows a driver is impaired, it will be followed by a blood test to determine whether drugs are present.

"This bill," said Mr Joyce, "will provide police with additional tools to get drivers impaired by drugs off the roads before they add to the road toll and injury toll on our roads."

- NZPA