DRUG DRIVING BILL SET TO GO BEFORE MPS

A bill to create a new offence of driving under the influence of
illegal drugs is set to be tabled in Parliament within weeks.

The new offence would attract the same penalties as drink driving.
Police would not conduct random tests on drivers but would have to
initiate drug tests if they believed a driver was impaired.

Transport Safety Minister Harry Duynhoven gave Parliament's transport
committee a briefing this morning.

His officials told the committee the Transport Amendment Bill had been
drafted and was almost ready for its first reading.

A spokesman for Transport Minister Annette King said the bill also
proposed measures to improve protection for personal information held
on the Motor Vehicle Register, and restricting access for marketing
purposes.

It would update definitions and enact measures to improve and
modernise the register.

Another bill - the Land Transport Legislation Amendment Bill - would
not be ready until near the end of the year, officials told the committee.

NZ First MP Peter Brown - whose request for an inquiry into driving
practices was the reason for today's hearing - said his party would
seek to add to the bill tougher penalties for recidivist drink drivers.

He said first time offenders should get a written warning, have their
car clamped on their property on a second offence and lose it
altogether if they offended again.

Mr Duynhoven said he would give the suggestions serious
consideration.

Ms King's office said second bill would include changes associated
with the Road Safety to 2010 project, a major review of local
authority enforcement activities and bylaw making powers, the
evaluation of all outstanding legislative provisions contained in
those Acts subject to the sunset clause date, as well as identified
miscellaneous legislative changes.

It should be introduced this year.

Mr Duynhoven told the committee the road toll as of yesterday was 15
more than at the same time last year. However numbers generally did
fluctuate within a year.

Last year's toll of 391 was the lowest in 50 years and Mr Duynhoven
said on a per 10,000 vehicles basis the road toll had halved since
1998.

Mr Duynhoven told the committee a range of policy was being considered
in: young and novice drivers and the graduated licensing system;
changing penalties for speeding, intersection and seatbelt offences;
drunk driving; road safety strategy, motorcycle safety.

Mr Duynhoven would not give away details of what the Government
favoured but readily told the committee his personal opinion.

He was not convinced lowering the legal blood alcohol level would
work, but thought it a good idea to make new drivers to start the
process again if they breached restricted licences conditions.

He felt there were problems with restricting what power of vehicle a
young driver could use, e.g. it was difficult for police to enforce.

He preferred compulsory third party insurance which would see high
risk groups - including those with powerful vehicles - paying higher
premiums.

He also had concerns about the registration system, saying it would be
better to focus on vehicle safety.