TOUGHER STAND ON LAWS

RANDOM roadside drug tests would be in place within six months under
a Coalition government. But Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul
Lucas said there was already a 12-month trial of random drug-testing
and other Coalition initiatives were already in place.

Launching the Safer Roads policy on the Sunshine Coast yesterday,
Opposition transport spokeswoman Fiona Simpson said they would have a
"zero tolerance" policy towards marijuana, ecstasy and
amphetamines.

"If you're driving un the road (affected by drugs), you deserve to
have your licence taken off you and get off the road," she said.

"People are excusing what they are doing supposedly in the name of
recreational drug use and they are killing people."

Under the testing regime, drivers who tested positive to a roadside
test and a confirmation test would immediately have their licences
suspended.

If a second test was confirmed, the driver would lost their licence
under the same penalty range as people convicted of driving under the
influence: A range from three to six months.

Ms Simpson appeared confused at times with the penalties, eventually
outlining a progressive system of punishments for
drug-driving.

"There is a range of penalties in place we what we're saying is if
you're driving dangerously when you're drug-affected, you will lose
your license," she said.

Deputy Liberal leader Mark McArdle later said penalties would be
dependent on the level of impairment, but the Coalition would
investigate tougher penalties in the next term.

Also included in the Safer Roads policy was a $14.5 million
commitment over three years to establish a roving fleet of motor
vehicle simulators to tour Queensland high schools, a graduating
licensing system for young drivers and establishing a trial of
flashing lights around school safety zones.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas said the Coalition was
"behind the eight ball" with their policy.

"Drugs tested will be heroin, cocaine, amphetamine type substances,
including MDMA or ecstasy as well as cannabis and methyl
amphetamines," Mr Lucas said.

"Heroin, cocaine and ecstasy have not been tested for trials in other
states, so Queensland is leading the field."

He said the Road Safety Summit and their recently announced plan for
young drivers demonstrated the Government's commitment to safety.

Citizens Against Road Slaughter (CARS) founder Phyl den Ronden said
any measures to reduce road crashes would be welcome.

Random drug-testing initiatives were included in a 1999 report by the
Travelsafe Parliamentary committee, but have yet to be
implemented.

Mr Seeney was filling in while Coalition leader Lawrence Springborg
was at the funeral of his father-in-law, who died suddenly last week.