Roadside drugs testing?

[steve_t]

Just watched a bit of a show called RBT in between plays of the game between SA and Namibia. Anyway in this show the Australian cops were doing breath testing and came across a guy with bloodshot eyes. They did a preliminary roadside test for cannabis. Just wondering if we have these here and I hadn't heard. I reckon they'd be busy as around the student areas I didn't even know there was such a test. Are there NZ laws prohibiting operating a motor vehicle under the influence of weed or other drugs? Prescription drugs that impair?

[Hitcher]

Yes there are laws against driving whilst impaired. New Zealand has yet to pick up the roadside testing kit used in Australia.

I am aghast that people allow themselves and others to drive under the influence of mind-altering substances. Just because it's not routinely tested for shouldn't mean that it's OK.

[onearmedbandit]

They can do an 'impairment test' if they want but they haven't (afaik) started using saliva tests.

[superman]

They can do an 'impairment test' if they want but they haven't (afaik) started using saliva tests.

Similar to those very humorous American ones? COOOL.

[bsasuper]

No, not like the yanks tests.I have been through one where they had RBT and dogs going through cars.

[onearmedbandit]

Similar to those very humorous American ones? COOOL.

Well it did state in the material I found that they can ask you to stand on one leg and undergo eye tests, so yeah similar.

[rastuscat]

It's called a Compulsory Impairment Test (CIT).

The problem with the saliva tests used in Oz was the a short time after they were introduced they gave a couple of false positives. The state (not sure which one) ended up paying big compensation to the falsely accused. Bang, end of credibility. The tests are now far, far better, and probably totally reliable, but the bad start convinced the NZPol that the saliva thing needed a lot more work before being introduced.

We have the CIT here, it's based on 40 years of practice elsewhere. It's a reliable impairment test. Eye examination, walk and turn, yeah, a bit like the ones they do on telly. Thing is, to prove the charge of driving while impaired here we have to prove both that you have failed an impairment test, AND that you have drugs in your blood. So no Popo can just decide you're guilty of Driving While Impaired (DWI) based on a badly done test; if you have no drugs in your blood, you're won't be charged.

The old driving under the influence charge still exists, but that relies on a very high level of impairment. Like, I stop a car, the driver says nothing and gives me a glassy gaze. I open the door, the driver falls out. I then write a seatbelt ticket (never miss an opportunity, he can't have been wearing it to have fallen out so easily), and nick him for driving while under the influence.

It's quite a complex field, so be careful when discussing it, as it's easy to confuse the charges if you don't know the whole picture.

Good to see it being discussed though, as it's fairly widely unknown. It wasn't given much media attention, coz the law change happened a short time before the earthquakes, the Pike River disaster etc.

Hi ho, off to (not working today) I go.

Donuts.

[Paul in NZ]

Half of Northland and Gisbourne would grind to a halt if they started testing for weed.... (all for it btw)

[MSTRS:Me]

... if you have no drugs in your blood, you're won't be charged...

So, in other words, it's fine to drive like you are impaired just as long as you aren't
That explains a shit load of what passes for driving...

[Spearfish]

Plus a little more care is needed with medicines.

Who pays for the blood test?

[Road kill]

The road side impairment test is interesting because what they are looking for is more your ability to follow basic instructions than anything else.
And you can just bet that doing a bitch about "your rights" will see you enjoying a ride back to where ever base is for a more in depth looking at.
Where I work we have urine tests when ever some body fucks up,,it's always those going on about "my rights" that end up looking for another job.
It's almost like people that bitch about their rights and not liking being treated like druggies,,,that are the druggies.
Well,lets face it,,, it always is those guys

[Usarka]

The road side impairment test is interesting because what they are looking for is more your ability to follow basic instructions than anything else.
And you can just bet that doing a bitch about "your rights" will see you enjoying a ride back to where ever base is for a more in depth looking at.
Where I work we have urine tests when ever some body fucks up,,it's always those going on about "my rights" that end up looking for another job.
It's almost like people that bitch about their rights and not liking being treated like druggies,,,that are the druggies.
Well,lets face it,,, it always is those guys

I didn't understand that. Are you on drugs?

[Big Dave]

I just wish they'd make the test multiple choice.

[Road kill]

I didn't understand that. Are you on drugs?

Which part ??

Understanding and following basic instructions??
Yeah ok,, no help for that one.

Druggies always being the first to bitch about their rights when asked to do the test ?

Those that have things to hide are always the first to become defensive.

Still don't get it,,,that's ok I understand

[unstuck]

I could get my stash tested to see if it is as good as the dealer recons.