Roads will be safer with police spending more time on patrol following changes to roadside drug testing which come into effect from next week.

From Monday 3 December 2018, police officers will be able to collect oral fluid samples from drivers who return a positive result to a roadside drug test, instead of the driver being required to provide a blood sample.

“Under the changes to the Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1970, oral fluid samples can be collected from the driver by approved breath analysis operators using an oral fluid collection kit, which is also a new piece of equipment for Tasmania Police,” Assistant Commissioner Richard Cowling said.

“This new process replaces the previous requirement for police officers to attend hospital with the driver and wait for blood samples to be taken.

“Importantly, the changes free up police to get on with their job of helping keep our roads safe, instead of waiting with drivers at hospitals while a blood sample is taken.

“It’s quicker, easier and more efficient for everyone involved.”

Assistant Commissioner Cowling said that Tasmania Police would continue to target drug drivers, as driving while affected by drugs is a high risk behaviour.

Over the past 10 years, drugs and alcohol have been a contributing factor, on average, in 26% of serious and fatal injury crashes. There has been a reduction in the percentage of cases where alcohol was a factor over that time, but drugs have remained relatively constant.

“We use a range of strategies to focus on high-risk driving, with the aim to modify driver behaviour,” Assistant Commissioner Cowling said.

“The detection of people who choose to drive after consuming illicit substances continue to be a priority for police and one of the focuses of our intelligence-led road safety strategies.

“Road safety is about protecting lives on our roads and we constantly endeavour to educate the public about safe driving practices.”

Another significant change to the Act includes increasing the time limit a driver can be drug or alcohol tested following a driving incident from three hours to five hours.