Source: New Zealand Parliament – Hansard
Question No. 4—Transport
4. GRANT McCALLUM (National—Northland) to the Minister of Transport: What recent announcements has he made on roadside drug testing?
Hon SIMEON BROWN (Minister of Transport): Thank you, Mr Speaker. On Monday, I announced that our Government will introduce legislation this year to enable roadside drug testing as part of our commitment to improve road safety and restore law and order. Oral fluid testing is common overseas and it’s 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 drugged driving.
Grant McCallum: What advice has he seen on the impacts of drug-driving?
Hon SIMEON BROWN: Alcohol and drugs are the number one contributing factor in fatal road crashes in New Zealand. In 2022 alone, alcohol and drugs were contributors to 200 fatal crashes on our roads. That is why our Government is introducing legislation to enable roadside drug testing, will set targets for police to undertake 50,000 oral fluid tests each year.
Grant McCallum: What reports has he seen on roadside drug testing in New Zealand?
Hon SIMEON BROWN: I have seen reports that despite legislation being passed in 2022 to enable roadside drug testing, roadside testing has not been rolled out as the legislation required the test to be suitable for evidentiary purposes and not just for a screening intent. The Police Association said this was “really disappointing” and the Automobile Association said that the failed roll out was “another blow to road safety”. Our Government will pass workable legislation to target the highest contributing factors to fatal road crashes.
Grant McCallum: How will the Government’s legislation differ to roadside drug testing legislation passed in 2022?
Hon SIMEON BROWN: Our roadside drug testing regime will use oral fluid testing devices at the roadside for screening purposes. If two oral fluid tests are positive, then an oral fluid sample will be tested in a laboratory for evidentiary purposes. This differs to the previous roadside drug testing regime, which required tests at the roadside to be used for evidentiary purposes and resulted in police being unable to roll out roadside drug testing.
