Random drug tests

[babystewie]

I wonder how long till the USA gets this test?

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Random drug tests target Australian drivers

Last Updated Mon, 13 Dec 2004 10:08:50 EST

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - Police in the Australian state of Victoria began randomly testing drivers for signs of drugs on Monday, hoping to cut down on fatal accidents.

Around 9,000 drivers are expected to be screened during the year-long trial, which uses saliva samples to test for signs of THC, which is the active component in marijuana, and methamphetamine use.

Within minutes of the program's launch in the city of Melbourne Monday, police found traces of marijuana in the samples of two of 14 drivers who passed through a drug-testing checkpoint.

If follow-up samples also test positive, the drivers could be fined the equivalent of about $275 and lose points from their drivers' licences. The fine would rise as high as $1,100 for subsequent offences.

Assistant commissioner of police Bob Hastings said officers had no idea the initial tests would produce results so soon.

"We had a driver test positive within our fourth driver into the queue and that was somewhat surprising so early on," he said.

Police Minister Andre Haermeyer said 31 per cent of Australian drivers involved in fatal accidents have illicit drugs in their bloodstream.

That includes truck drivers who take methamphetamines to stay awake on long road trips and party-goers who use speed at raves and other gatherings.

"It's been going on for too long," Haermeyer said.

However, a civil liberties group in Victoria is worried the introduction of the tests may see people charged with other kinds of drug offences.

"[We] would want to know that that is not being used to then prosecute people for the use of drugs, quite apart from situations where they're actually affected by drugs in such a way as to impair their driving," said Brian Walters, the president of Liberty Victoria.

(With files from Australian Broadcasting Corporation.)

[disk-ofreak]

thats just not fair though, i know plenty of assholes that don't use or do drugs ever and still make stupid mistakes on the road... i shouldn't get peanalized for something i did once like 3 weeks ago,

its not right

[Teknojunkee]

Just THC and AMPHETAMINES...whew...no worries here mate lol

[barraquilla]

doubt it could be implemented successfully. drug tests are not that accurate and it would be fairly easy to dispute the results from a roadside saliva test. especially if the person wasn't a know criminal.

plus it totally violates 4th amendment rights. although, it seems that more people are willing to give up their rights for an illusion of safety. personally, i'm more concerned about the 90 y.o. behind the wheel of a car versus someone who smoked a joint the previous week. eh..