trace particle detection tests on drivers

[godonacid]

http://www.media.tas.gov.au/release.php?id=23404

Jim Cox, MP

Minister for Police and Emergency Management

Thursday, 3 April 2008

 

New Drug-driver Testing Powers for Tasmania Police

 

Tasmania Police will be given greater powers to crack down on drug drivers, the Minister for Police and Emergency Management, Jim Cox, announced today.

 

Mr Cox today said a Bill currently before State Parliament will give police the authority to conduct trace particle detection tests on drivers’ vehicles.

 

“Trace particle detection tests will dramatically increase the number of tests police will be able to conduct for people driving under the influence of illicit drugs.

 

“The danger of driving whilst drug-affected is immense, and it cannot be tolerated.

 

“Having an altered sensory perception and being behind the wheel of a vehicle is a recipe for disaster that may claim the lives of innocent road users as well as the drug driver.”

 

Mr Cox said the trace particle detection tests could be done in a fraction of the time it took to conduct oral tests.

 

“Results for a trace particle test are available within 15 seconds after the sample is obtained, whereas an oral test takes about five minutes.

 

“This will dramatically increase the number of drivers who will be subjected to random testing for illicit drugs.”

 

Mr Cox said if a trace particle test returned a positive result, the driver would then be required to undergo an oral fluid test to check for the presence of drugs in their system.

 

“This legislation provides the necessary power for police to intercept and enter vehicles for the purpose of conducting a trace particle test.

 

“With this additional level of testing being available to police, the chances of catching drug-drivers will increase.

 

“It will also serve as a powerful deterrent to people under the influence of illicit drugs from driving a vehicle, protecting both their lives, and the lives of all road users.”

 

Mr Cox said drug-driver testing began in Tasmania on 1 July 2005, with 293 drivers testing positive for illicit drugs since that time.

 

People found guilty of driving with illicit drugs in their system face a maximum penalty of three months disqualification of their driver’s licence.

[67Special]

WTF is a trace particle test?

 

 

trace_particle_tests_for_Tas.pdf

[godonacid]

they run a swab over your steering wheel and then test the swab, it tests for at least a dozen drugs and then they search and or saliva test you.

 

the big thing here is it costs $4 a test compared to the saliva test that is $40 and it takes 15 seconds for a result compared to 5 mins for the saliva test, so they can equip all cars with this quite cheaply and test a lot more people with out disruption.

 

im still trying to find out if they are after residue from your hands or residue from your sweat, but acording to what i have read it is in essence the same test as you see on the airport / border control shows that customs use.

Edited April 11, 2008 by godonacid

[up4sesh]

The last time i heard about this topic was on the news when they were introducing it to brisbane

 

it was still new to queensland at the time and they mentioned they had caught somthing like 10 people (not exactly sure on that figue) driving under the influence of drugs on the first night that they put it into practice. Ive heard theres ways around it too because it is a mouth swab test so if u have some dark chocolate or some of those listerine strips, it should clear it up with the test.

 

personally ive never tried it to see if it works but then again ive never been pulled over for a swab test either.

Edited April 10, 2008 by up4sesh

[urbanfarmer]

best i rush out and buy some of those anti bacterial wipes

[WantDaChronic]

while i think people shouldnt drive under the influence of anything, even when pot as been shown to actually make people better drivers, i dont think this type of testing will do anyone any good what so ever like what if you are a weekend smoker who on a friday arvo goes to buy a stick and has to drive it home? you could merely have touched the sachel and because they have microscopic holes in them the trace particle test could pick up traces of it on your hands, steering wheel and anything else you touch

 

it will catch more people without a doubt, but has anyone considered how much it will drive prices up if people are unable to transport pot in their cars? if you thought the current drought was bad, just you wait

[Indycar]

Sounds similar to the swabs that Aussie Customs use.

 

But meh, all the best to em tryin' to nab me with it. Simply cause i don't drive stoned or make a habit out of transporting cannabis.

 

But then again, i'm just a personal grower/toker that knows nothing of this apparent drought.

 

[67Special]

they run a swab over your steering wheel and then test the swab, it tests for at least a dozen drugs and then they search and or saliva test you.

 

the big thing here is it costs $4 a test compared to the saliva test that is $40 and it takes 15 seconds for a result compared to 5 mins for the saliva test, so they can equip all cars with this quite cheaply and test a lot more people with out disruption.

 

im still trying to find out if they are after residue from your hands or residue from your sweat, but acording to what i have read it is in essence the same test as you see on the airport / border control shows that customs use.

so if there's no particles detected on your hands or steering wheel etc., will they let you go without an oral swab?

 

..otherwise it seems like a complete waste of time.. the presence of particles on your person or vehicle alone would not be enough to charge you.

 

This might actually be a good thing.. have a good shower before you drive and use alcohol wipes to clean your steering wheel and you should escape the oral swab altogether.. unless your obviously off your head ofc

[urbanfarmer]

I'll be using the wipes on my front door handle!

Eucalyptus oil i reckon! good luck folks

[tony2wheelsgood]

so what? cannabis stays in your system for 3 weeks or so - but you're only stoned for a couple of hours. wonder if they've taken that into account. if not, then there'll be a rise in heroin use 'cos it leaves the body very quickly, that's what happened in the prisons.