|
Cannabis Campaigners' Guide News Database result:
|
|
New Zealand: Low drug driving numbers surprise police
The Northern Advocate Monday 16 Apr 2012 Official police statistics show just 41 drivers have been prosecuted in Northland since the new law was introduced in November 2009. Nationally, 568 drivers were caught under the law, with those in Bay of Plenty topping the list with 116 convictions. Highway patrol Senior Sergeant Steve Dickson said police were putting drivers through impairment tests if they thought they were driving under the influence of drugs. He said a few impairment tests had been conducted lately and drivers had passed. In the impairment test, drivers are made to walk the line, touch their nose and officers give them an eye test. If they fail, drivers are required to give a blood test. If tests show drugs then police can prosecute. Offenders face the same penalties as first-time drink drivers - three months' jail and or a fine of up to $4500 and are disqualified for a minimum of six months. "Sometimes it's hard to pick up on drug use," Mr Dickson said. Most general duties cops and highway patrol officers were trained to carry out the impairment tests. "We are very interested in catching these drivers under the influence of drugs and people can ring us on 0800 Crimestoppers if they know someone is driving [under the influence]," Mr Dickson said. The Automobile Association and the Drug Foundation said New Zealand's focus on drug-driving was still in its early stages. "We are at the stage now with drugged driving where we were with alcohol 30 years ago," foundation executive director Ross Bell said. "The whole alcohol culture change has been around ads, breathalyser technology and having cops out on the road. With drugged driving, we are only just beginning to convince people that this is a problem, and that we need to deal with it." A recent study found of 1046 drivers who died in crashes between 2004 and 2009, about 35 per cent had cannabis or other drugs in their system, either on their own or with alcohol. Angela Louise Quayle was one of the first drivers in Northland to be arrested under new laws, introduced last year. She was pregnant when she tested positive for cannabis while at the wheel and was banned from driving for a year. Police enforcing the law said they were pleased with the sentence, saying the punishment showed courts were taking the crime seriously. Quayle was five-months pregnant when she was stopped by officers on Paramount Parade, Tikipunga, at 8.35pm in December. She failed a roadside impairment test and a blood test revealed she had cannabis in her bloodstream. http://www.northernadvocate.co.nz/news/low-drug-driving-numbers-surprise-police/1347197/
After you have finished reading this article you can click here to go back.
|
This page was created by the Cannabis Campaigners' Guide.
Feel free to link to this page!