Push to ban repeat drug-drivers licences for five years

DRIVERS caught high on drugs for a third time would lose their licence for five years under a push to toughen penalties.

• 730 drivers caught under the influence at least three times in five years
• Where drug drivers are most likely to be caught
• Debate on allowing medicinal cannabis users to get behind the wheel
• Just half of drug offenders complete drug diversion programs

DRIVERS caught high on drugs for a third time would lose their licence for five years under a push for tougher penalties.

Australian Conservatives MP Dennis Hood is also considering strengthening the law to impound the vehicles of serial drug drivers for a month.

It comes after The Advertiser revealed that 608 motorists were caught last year for a third or subsequent drug-driving offence in five years.

Mr Hood said this showed the current penalties “are clearly serving as no deterrent, given the very large numbers of people who flout the law and are repeatedly caught drug driving”.

Mr Hood will introduce a Bill to Parliament to suspend a person’s licence for five years if they test positive to a third or subsequent drug test while behind the wheel. He is also “investigating the possibility” of adding a clause to impound the driver’s car for 30 days.

“I have absolutely no sympathy for anyone who chooses to get behind the wheel with illicit drugs in their system,” Mr Hood said.

“It is a recipe for disaster and shows a total disregard for other road users. Very strong penalties need to be in place, especially for repeat offenders.”

MPs are debating a State Government Bill which would increase the licence disqualification period for a third drug-driving offence from 12 months to two years. A third high-range drink-driving offence attracts a minimum disqualification period of three years.

Drivers caught high on drugs while behind the wheel for a third time could lose their licence for five years, under proposed new laws.

Police and Road Safety Minister Chris Picton conceded that Mr Hood’s Bill went further than the Government’s stance but said he was open to discussing the changes. Mr Picton noted the Government already impounded vehicles of hoon drivers and could “potentially crush or sell them”.

The Government Bill would also impose:

A THREE-MONTH licence disqualification for a first drug-driving offence, plus a $587 fine and four demerit points.

A PENALTY of up to $5000 or one year in jail, and a licence disqualification of no less than three years, on offenders who have lost their licence for drug-driving and are caught driving unlicensed.

A DRUG dependency test on any driver detected drug or drink-driving with a child aged under 16 in the car. They must pass to regain their licence.

Current laws require drivers who lose their licence after committing two drug-driving offences or two serious drink- driving offences to pass a dependency test before they are allowed behind the wheel again.

Police data shows drug-driver detections tripled in SA between 2010-11 and 2015-16.