Drug and alcohol testing of drivers and riders involved in serious injury crashes on New South Wales (NSW) roads are being enhanced.
A Bill, introduced to Parliament last month, will allow blood and urine samples to be taken from a driver or rider and tested for both drugs and alcohol if they are involved in a crash that results in grievous bodily harm.
The current law, which has been in place since 2006, allows for mandatory drug and alcohol testing of all drivers involved in fatal crashes.
The Bill will support police investigations of serious driving offences in response to recommendations by the NSW Sentencing Council report on repeat traffic offenders. It will help ensure drivers who drive while impaired and cause serious injuries face the legal consequences.
It also seeks to extend post-crash testing powers to bicycle riders.
The Bill will also deliver another key change by amending road transport legislation to replace the term “accident” with “crash.”
“This Bill will strengthen post-crash drug and alcohol testing, and further support police investigation of the most serious injury crashes on our roads,” said Minister for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison.
“The NSW Government is sending a clear message that drink and drug driving is not acceptable and those who engage in this high risk behaviour will be held accountable, where they cause injuries consistent with grievous bodily harm.
“We are committed to improving road safety and reducing the number of fatalities and serious injuries on our roads, and this bill helps us achieve that goal.”
