Govt must prove it is serious about road safety

If the Government was serious about reducing the number of deaths on New Zealand roads, it would adopt Wairarapa MP Alastair Scott’s Member’s Bill to introduce roadside drug tests.

“We know that drugs are a major factor in serious crashes on our roads. That’s why I lodged the Land Transport (Random Oral Fluid Testing) Amendment Bill to establish an effective Police roadside testing regime to better deal with drug driving,” Mr Scott says.

“Associate Transport Minister Julie Anne Genter said today at the Local Government Road Safety Summit that she will target zero deaths on New Zealand roads, but appears to be refusing to take the advice of officials and experts to adopt roadside saliva drug testing.

“Local governments know the impact that drugged drivers have on their communities. The Summit today would have been the perfect opportunity to discuss roadside drug testing.

“The Bill has the support of the Automobile Association, the Police Association, Police Minister Stuart Nash, the Ministry of Transport and the New Zealand Transport Association, but isn’t currently supported by the Associate Transport Minister.

“Alcohol or drugs are involved in about one in three fatal crashes on our roads as well as numerous serious injury crashes. With advances in technologies making roadside drug testing much more practical, now is the right time to introduce it.

“It’s time for the Government to walk the talk and adopt my Member’s Bill.”

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