Simon Corbell announced new legislation to strengthen roadside drug and alcohol testing laws today.
The Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Amendment Bill 2013 seeks to reduce the incidence of drink and drug driving by strengthening the powers and ability of police to enforce drink and drug driving laws.
“Among the amendments made by the Bill is the creation of a new offence of refusing to undertake an alcohol or drug screening test, and a provision that makes clear the power of police officers to direct a driver to remain at a location to undertake a screening test,” said Mr Corbell.
“Under this new provision, where police suspect a driver has alcohol or prescribed drugs in their system, police can require the driver to remain at the scene for a reasonable time, not exceeding 30 minutes, whilst a screening device is obtained.