There are many
campaigns and articles regarding drinking and driving – but
driving while under the influence of drugs is – of course - dangerous because it affects your driving ability too —increasing
your risk of having a crash.
Therefore, just
like random breath tests for alcohol, you can be pulled over by Queensland
police officers for a random roadside saliva test to detect any presence of
relevant drugs. The tests can be carried out at random breath testing sites and
at targeted drug test sites. You can also be pulled over and tested by a police
officer if they suspect that you are driving under the influence of drugs.
Drugs can affect
your driving by causing:
- · reduced ability to judge distance and speed
- · distorted perception of time, place and space
- · reduced coordination and concentration
- · hyperactivity
- · aggressiveness
- · paranoia
- · hallucinations
- · blurred vision
- · convulsions
- · dizziness and fainting
- · fatigue
- · memory loss
- · nausea
- · tremors
- · unpredictable moods/behaviours
- · unconsciousness
- · muscle weakness.
Relevant
drugs that are tested
As stated above,
Queensland police officers can ask you to provide a saliva sample at a roadside
drug test to detect the presence of the following substances, known as relevant drugs:
- · Methylamphetamine—also known as speed and ice
- · MDMA—the active ingredient in ecstasy
- · THC—the active ingredient in cannabis
There will be zero tolerance. Any
trace of the nominated drugs in your system and you can be penalised. A first offence
carries a penalty of up to $1 706 and you could be disqualified from
driving for up to 3 months. Any subsequent offences can carry higher penalties
and driver licence suspensions prior to appearances in court.
For confidential help and/or information contact the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on (07) 3837 5989 (all hours) or 1800177 833 (toll free).
Oxenford Neighbourhood
Watch’s next get-together takes
place on May 8th at 7pm at the Oxenford & Coomera Youth & Community
Centre. Following this meeting, our remaining dates for 2018 are : August 14th (our AGM), Nov 20th and Tues Dec 11th it is our Christmas Party.
Meeting times are always 7pm and the venue is always the Youth Centre. You are very
welcome to attend - there is no need to RSVP
– just turn up.
Share this post
