Another new law?

Well, with all the media excitement regarding the new driving rules on the use of mobile phones in the car, one rule change that will definitely make a difference to road safety, has practically gone unnoticed I am taking about the drugs impairment rule,….,sorry the what? Yep I was a bit mystified at first. Basically the rule is  this if the police thing you might be intoxicated with either alcohol or drugs they can carry out a traditional impairment test. For the uninitiated this includes the following:

• An eye assessment – pupil size, reaction to light, lack of convergence, nystagmus (ie abnormal eye movement - irregular eye movement can be a marker for drug impairment)

• A walk and turn assessment

• A one leg stand assessment.

If you fail any or all of these you will not be allowed to drive your car for around 12 hours and you will have to supply a blood sample for analysis, with a view that you my be prosecuted, the offence carries the same penalties as drink driving.

 Will the police exceed their power, probably, will it make a difference on driving standards possibly, why didn’t this get a higher profile in the media release, well that's the kiwi way always concentrating on the wrong issue, the inference is that something like 60 potential deaths could be saved, not the two lives, welcome has that is ,that not answering the phone will potentially save. It might be a violation of your civil rights, but it is a step in the right direction to improving the terrible death toll that is New Zealand roads.