Alcohol and drugs are often a factor when fatal road accidents occur. As a response, police instroduced random drug testing for drivers in 2007 to help improve road safety.

 

When is the test given?

 

Police can test you for drugs at any time. 

 

Drug testing is often done alongside random breath testing. Sometimes it will be a stand-alone random drug testing site.

 

What drugs does the test detect?

 

The tests detect the active ingredients in illicit drugs including cannabis, ecstasy and various types of amphetamines.

 

How is the test done?

 

The test is a simple saliva test. You will be asked to provide a sample of saliva which will be tested on the spot. The test takes about 5 minutes. If there is a positive result police will do a second saliva test.

 

If the second test is also positive a sample of your saliva will be sent to a government laboratory for testing.

 

What happens next if the roadside test is positive?

 

If your saliva tests positive for drugs for a second time in a roadside drug test your licence will be immediately suspended for 24 hours. 

 

If drugs are detected in the sample that is sent to the government laboratory for testing the police will contact you and charge you with a drug driving offence. The testing process can take a month or longer.

 

What is zero tolerance?

 

You will be charged if any drugs at all are detected in your saliva sample by the laboratory.

 

You should be aware that different types of drugs take different lengths of time to leave your system. The quantity of drugs taken and how frequently they are taken can also influence the time it takes for no traces of the drugs to remain in your saliva.

 

If in doubt, don’t drive!

 

What will my penalty be?

 

The penalty for a first time drug driving offence is a fine of up to $1,540 or 3 months imprisonment.  Mandatory periods of driver licence disqualification also apply.  The minimum period of driver licence disqualification is 1 month and and the maximum is 9 months.  If you have a prior conviction for drink or drug driving, then the penalties will be increased.

 

What if I refuse to supply a speciman of saliva for analysis?

 

If asked by the Queensland police to provide a specimen of breath or saliva to determine if you are under the influence of alcohol or drugs you must comply with this request. If you refuse or fail to provide a breath or saliva sample when requested, you will be charged for failing to provide a sample. Failing to provide a sample of breath is a very serious offence. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Drug Driving