Police union boss backs call for drug-driving tests
The Aussies are doing it, so why can’t we?
That’s the question Police Association president Chris Cahill is asking about the proposed introduction of saliva testing to catch drugged drivers.
National MP Alastair Scott plans to put a member’s bill into the ballot in the coming days which, if passed into law, would give police the ability to carry out roadside tests that would look for cannabis, methamphetamine and ecstasy, as is done in New South Wales.
There, saliva tests are carried out by specially trained police officers who use an absorbent collector in the mouth to get a sample.
It takes three to five minutes for a result. If a positive result is returned, laboratory testing is needed before charges can be laid.
The testing operates alongside random breath-alcohol testing and during road patrols.
Cahill urged New Zealand to follow suit by introducing swab tests.
‘‘Our members already deal with a number of people that test negative for alcohol, but are clearly under the influence of something.
‘‘If [the NSW government’s] saliva testing is of an appropriate standard, that meets the requirements of court ... then we should be looking at that.
‘‘We would think the inclusion of saliva testing has got to be beneficial – the reality is that anything that’s going to help bring down the trauma on our roads has got to be of benefit.’’
Police said they could not comment on proposed legislation.
AA road safety spokesman Dylan Thomsen said criticisms about the reliability, accuracy and the length a saliva test took no longer held weight.
‘‘The fact is we’ve got many countries around the world – Australia being the closest one – that have introduced roadside drug testing ... and it works. The technology has gotten to a point now where it can be used.’’
NSW officials recently said they would seek to increase the number of roadside saliva tests from 100,000 a year to 200,000 by 2020. Penalties for drug-driving offences were also being increased in a state-wide crackdown.
‘‘They clearly see it as an issue,’’ Cahill said. ‘‘And you can guarantee that, if it’s an issue in Australia, it’s going to be an issue here.
‘‘Given how easy it is to simply take a DNA sample these days by using a swab, I would’ve thought it wouldn’t be hard to get a simple saliva test.’’
At present, police can carry out only a compulsory impairment test, which involves eye assessments, the walk and turn, and one-leg stands.
Scott described that test on Monday as ‘‘archaic’’ and no longer fit for purpose.