Stoned drivers think they're bulletproof: Minister

A cannabis impairment test will be part of new legislation to come into effect later this year, says Transport Minster Steven Joyce.

People who drive while high on drugs think they are bulletproof, Transport Minister Steven Joyce says.

In survey of 1200 New Zealanders by the Drug Foundation, 24.5 per cent said they had driven after taking cannabis in the last year.

The majority (78.6 per cent) of the cannabis drivers felt their driving was not changed or was better the last time they drove after using cannabis.

Mr Joyce said he was concerned about growing evidence showing driving while under the influence of drugs was a problem in New Zealand.

"I find that pretty hard to believe (that people drive better when stoned), but lets take them at their words.

"It's all about taking responsibility when you're driving... cars are lethal if you don't drive properly."

An impairment test would be part of new legislation to come into effect later this year and will provide more evidence about how drug taking affects driving, Mr Joyce said.

"Some people think they're bulletproof and frankly they're not... there are some cavalier attitudes."

The death and injury toll on our roads were "just too high".

The new legislation was a first step and "we've got to walk before we can run", Mr Joyce said.

Now was the time to see how the new legislation worked as there was not the technology available for more roadside testing, he said.

Drug Foundation Executive Director Ross Bell said there was a growing body of evidence that showed cannabis use impaired drivers' ability.

"Some cannabis users may feel like their driving is unaffected or better while they're high, but studies show they have slower reaction times, are less able to control their vehicles and are much more likely to cause collisions."

- NZPA