<\/p>\n
\nPhoto: RNZ \/ Alexander Robertson\n<\/p>\n
Police are poised to begin testing drivers for drugs with a device that involves a quick swipe of the driver’s tongue.<\/p>\n
The government on Tuesday announced roadside testing for four types of drugs will begin next month in Wellington, spreading nationwide by mid-2026.<\/p>\n
It said there would be “fewer tragedies” as a result.<\/p>\n
An oral-fluid testing device would be able to detect cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or meth.<\/p>\n
If a tongue-swipe test taking a few minutes was positive, a second roadside test would follow.<\/p>\n
If that was positive too, then the driver would be prohibited from driving for 12 hours.<\/p>\n
In addition, police will take a saliva sample for analysis in a lab that can test for 25 types of drug, and any infringement notice will follow from that.<\/p>\n
“Most drivers will be free to go within about five minutes once they have a negative test result,” the government announcement said.<\/p>\n
“Around 30 percent of all road deaths now involve an impairing drug,” Transport Minister Chris Bishop said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“If you take drugs and drive, you’re putting innocent lives at risk – and we will not tolerate it.”<\/p>\n