Tuesday, December 14, 2004

WORLD FIRST.........

A MELBOURNE man who yesterday became the first person in the world to return a positive roadside drug test will fight the result.


RDT ... an anonymous truck driver being tested for drugs yesterday / Herald Sun


The roadside random drug testing station took just 15 minutes to detect its first alleged drugged driver.

The man, who identified himself as John, was pulled over by police in Whitehall St, Yarraville, about 11.15am.

"I am the first person in the world, they have told me, to come up positive to this particular test," John told the Herald Sun.

He was the fourth driver tested under Victoria's new random roadside saliva testing for illicit drugs.

Following an initial test that allegedly indicated the presence of methamphetamines, John was taken to the drug bus for a second test.

Police can test for the presence of methamphetamines or cannabis.

"The police told me that I had consumed marijuana in the last couple of hours," said John, who works as a driver.

"That is definitely not the case. I've been at work. I've been working all morning."

John, who said he had not smoked marijuana during the previous month, said he would consider having his sample independently analysed.

If the laboratory test confirms the presence of cannabis or methamphetamines, John will be fined $300 and incur three demerit points.

"I have had a clean driving record for the last 15 years - not a speeding fine, not a parking fine, nothing in 15 years. Now they're telling me I've been smoking drugs," John said.

"Don't get me wrong. I think it is a good thing. I think they should be testing everyone on the road. No doubt about it."

John, from the southern suburbs, had to call for someone to pick him up because drivers are not allowed to get behind the wheel immediately after a second positive test.

During 2 1/2 hours in Whitehall St, police did 32 tests, including 22 truck drivers. A driver who initially tested positive to methamphetamines was allowed to go when a second test proved negative.

Assistant Commissioner Bob Hastings said the first day of drug testing had been a success.

"While it was disappointing to have a positive reading so early in the program, the overall response we had from motorists throughout the day was encouraging," Mr Hastings said.

"This is about safety on Victorian roads and raising community awareness that driving under the influence of illicit drugs is dangerous and will not be tolerated."

FOR THOSE IN AMERICA AD THE UK, WE HERE IN AUSTRALIA HAVE "BOOZE BUSES". THE BOOZE BUSES ARE RUN BY POLICE ON A DAILY/NIGHTLY BASIS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN VARIED SPOTS AROUND TOWNS/CITIES ETC. YOU CAN BE DRIVING ALONG, THE BOOZE BUS AHEAD, YOU'LL BE FLAGED DOWN BY A COP, YOUR STOPPED AND ASKED TO BLOW INTO A BAG. THIS BAG TAKES THE READING OF ALCOHOL IN YOUR SYSTEM, IF YOUR OVER .05 THEN BYE BYE LICENCE AND DRIVING YOUR CAR, ITS A TRIP TO COURT OR AN INFRINGEMENT NOTICE. OF COURSE ITS ONLY THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE THATS TESTED. IF YOUR A NEW DRIVER IN THE FIRST YEARS OF DRIVING THEN EVEN IF YOU REGISTER .01....BYE BYE DRIVERS LICENCE.
NOW THEY HAVE COME UP WITH THE SAME DEAL BUT FOR DRUGS.

1 Comments:

Blogger Michelle said...

Yeppers Jack, they did. Cops like the booze bus, reckon the test is infalable,however like the booze bus testing i suspect those individuals who wish to fight it in court will do so, with many winning. It's like our speed guns and red light cams. People fight them in court too, and 50% win. Much of it ( speed cams and red light cams) are money spinners.

6:24 AM  

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