Higher fines in drug driving crackdown
Drivers breaking the rules face harsher penalties in Queensland after new laws were passed in state parliament.
Drivers with a drug present in their blood or saliva will face higher fines under new laws passed through Queensland parliament.
From December, a motorist with the presence of methamphetamine, cocaine, MDMA or THC in their saliva will face a fine of up to $4,835 and a loss of licence for at least two months.
A driver who tests positive to combined drink-and-drug driving offences will face a maximum fine of $5,699 and a licence disqualification for at least three months.
Queensland Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the reforms aimed to improve road safety.
Under current state laws, there are no minimum fines for drink or drug driving offences.
“The increased penalties will better reflect the seriousness of the offending and send a clear message that dangerous behaviour is unacceptable,” he said.
“Drug driving has overtaken drink driving as the leading cause of motor vehicle deaths, with THC detected in more than 60 per cent of drug-driving deaths – it’s simply not safe to drive with drugs in your system.
“We are taking a zero-tolerance approach to dangerous behaviour behind the wheel, so more Queenslanders can get home safer and sooner.
It comes as the state road toll increased by 35 per cent between 2019 and 2024, according to Mickelberg.
“Queensland’s road toll has been trending upwards for far too long, and our laws target the behaviours killing people on our roads.”
Meanwhile, drivers caught travelling more than 40km and hour over the speed limit will receive an immediate six-month licence suspension following the changes.
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“These new laws send a clear message to offenders, if you choose to act dangerously behind the wheel, you will face serious consequences,” Integrity Minister Deb Frecklington said.
The legislation was passed amid a slew of other reforms, aimed at cracking down on dangerous driving, on Thursday night.
The changes included increasing the maximum penalty for motor vehicle offences which result in death or grievous bodily harm from 16 years to 25 years and expanding mandatory imprisonment requirements for serious and repeat dangerous driving offenders.
-with AAP
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