POLICE GET POWERS TO DEAL WITH DRIVERS ON DRUGS

Police will have new powers to deal with drivers on drugs under
legislation passed by Parliament tonight.

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

He told Parliament Massey University drug researchers carried out
surveys which found 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.

Mr Joyce said another survey carried out by Environmental Science and
Research between 2004 and 2008 found that 257 of 826 deceased drivers
had cannabis in their system.

"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 other," he said.

"This bill aims to reduce this risk by creating an offence of driving
while impaired and with evidence in the bloodstream of a controlled
drug or a prescription medicine."

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

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

"This bill 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," Mr Joyce said.

He described the legislation as "just the first step" in dealing with
the problem.

"When a practical, affordable drug testing device becomes available
that can produce results which can stand up in court, I will be happy
to bring legislation to this House to enable it to be used as an
enforcement tool," he said.

The bill was drafted by the previous government in 2007 and was taken
over by the new government.

Mr Joyce said that when it was drafted, professional advice was that
the group of drugs which include valium should not be covered by it.

"Based on evidence I have seen. . .I believe these drugs should have
been considered for inclusion," he said.

"I have officials working on this now."

Mr Joyce said if he decided to include that group of drugs he would
introduce a special amendment which would change the law before it
came into force.

The bill was passed on a unanimous vote.