The Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Jim Cox, today said the State Government was cracking down on drug drivers through tough new penalties.
Mr Cox said the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Amendment Bill 2009 introduced into State Parliament would give Tasmania’s courts the power to hand increased penalties to offenders, and followed a review of the current act by the Tasmanian Institute of Law Enforcement Studies.
“Under this Bill, a person convicted for the first-time of driving with an illicit drug in their blood will lose their drivers’ licence for up to 12 months, an increase from the previous maximum of three months, with three months to be the minimum suspension period under the new provisions.
“This is on top of fines of up to $1200.”
Mr Cox said courts would also have the option of imprisoning a first-time drug driver for a maximum of three months.
“Should a person be convicted of a second or subsequent drug driving offence, they face losing their licence for up to two years, fines of up to $2400 and jail for up to six months.”
Mr Cox said he was confident the tough penalties would be welcomed by the Tasmanian community.
“Drug driving is an extremely serious road offence, and people operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs pose a huge risk to not only their own safety, but that of every other road user.
“People taking drugs can have impaired perception and reflexes, and driving in such a condition is extremely dangerous, and will not be tolerated by the State Government.
“Tasmania Police have the capacity to conduct random drug testing of motorists to aid detection of illicit drugs in drivers, and I am confident these new penalties will send a strong deterrent to people contemplating driving under the influence of drugs,” Mr Cox said.
