Big changes for Canberra's drink- and drug-driving laws

Canberra drivers will be roadside tested for cocaine impairment from January 1 next year under a raft of new road safety laws passed in the ACT Assembly.

Queensland introduced roadside cocaine testing in mid-2023 and recorded hundreds of positive tests within the first few months of operation.

The ACT roadside cocaine test will be added to the cannabis, methamphetamine and MDMA (ecstasy) oral fluid test already conducted by police using the robust German-developed Securetec drug wipe.

First time low-range drink drivers will be immediately suspended and fined $800. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

The drug's ACT usage surged to record levels in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Wastewater testing in the national capital continues to reveal a high usage rate on a per capita basis due to what former police chief Neil Gaughan described as Canberra's high proportion of well-paid professionals in stable jobs and the territory's decriminalised drug laws.

The roadside drugwipe "twin" test will be replaced by a drugwipe "triple". Picture by James Croucher

When it rolled out its roadside testing for cocaine, Queensland police said the drug affects driving through driver overconfidence, loss of concentration, and driving aggressively or taking more risks.

Police will be given the power to immediately remove people who choose to drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol by imposing immediate licence suspensions.

From January 1, the standard police roadside drug test using an saliva swab will be replaced with a more sophisticated one which also tests for cocaine. Picture by James Croucher

For the first time, low-range drink-drivers - those under 0.08 - will receive an immediate $800 fine and six-month loss of licence.

Court-ordered penalties have also increased significantly, up to $12,000, and an 18-month licence suspension for high range level four drink-driving for a first-time offender.

The legislation also creates a new combined drink and drug driving offence for which penalties will be significantly higher than for separate drink and drug driving offences.

"The new offence reflects the research that shows that a fatal crash is 23 times more likely when a person is under the influence of both alcohol and drugs in combination," said Transport Minister Chris Steel.

Some of these provisions, but not all, will start in the coming days.

The ACT has been one of the slowest jurisdictions in the country to move on immediate licence suspensions for offenders.

However, the move has been welcomed by the federal police association, which says the judiciary must now play its part.