POLICE CRASH EXPERT BACKS DRIVER CANNABIS TESTS

A Northland police crash expert has backed suggestions that motorists be
tested for cannabis use.

The issue was raised in Whangarei this week during a coroner's inquest.

Coroner Peter Mahood held inquests into the deaths of Clive Ian Reid, 42,
of Kumeu, and Regina Ereti Walker, 63, of Wellsford.

A head-on collision near Waipu on January 5, which killed Mr Reid and Mrs
Walker, was caused after Mr Reid tried to overtake "when there was clearly
insufficient room to do so", Mr Mahood said.

Cannabis and cannabis utensils were found in Mr Reid's vehicle, said a
police fatal crash analyst, Senior Constable Jim Hawthorn.

A blood test revealed Mr Reid had used cannabis.

It could not be established whether cannabis intoxication had contributed
to the accident, Mr Hawthorn said.

Mr Mahood asked Mr Hawthorn whether it would be worth obtaining an
"established opinion" on levels of cannabis intoxication.

Mr Hawthorn said it would, and that a system operated in Germany where
motorists' cannabis levels were measured.

Mr Mahood asked if it would be worthwhile lobbying for such a system in New
Zealand, and whether the Land Transport Safety Authority would be the
appropriate body to approach.

Mr Hawthorn said that it would be good to lobby on as many fronts as possible.

Mr Mahood was also told that Mr Reid had been driving over the speed limit
and had been passing vehicles in a dangerous manner along SH1 before the
accident.

Mrs Walker, who suffered multiple injuries, died at the scene. Mr Reid died
in Whangarei Hospital.

* An inquest was also held for Raymond Wan, 49, of Auckland. Whangarei
police Sergeant Janine Attwood-Graham said Mr Wan, who was travelling from
Auckland to the Bay of Islands on December 28, over-corrected after
drifting off the side of the road near Mata, 22km southeast of Whangarei.
His vehicle had rolled.

Mr Wan suffered severe head injuries and died in Whangarei Hospital.

Plans to upgrade the stretch of road were pleasing, Mr Mahood said. "It
will hopefully reduce these types of accidents in the future."