Roadside testing will screen saliva for the presence of 4 drugs - THC (cannabis), methamphetamine (meth), MDMA (ecstasy), and cocaine.

If the first test is positive, a driver will need to provide a saliva sample for laboratory analysis, then do a second test. Two positive tests means the driver is forbidden to drive for 12 hours.

Laboratory analysis will test for 25 drugs with the highest risk to road safety, 21 of which are prescription medicines.

Infringement
A positive drug test following laboratory analysis will result in infringement:

• $200 for the presence of 1 drug and 50 demerit points
• $400 for the presence of 2 or more drugs and 75 demerit points.

Refusal to accompany an officer or undertake a test without delay will result in a $400 infringement and 75 demerit points.

A driver with a current valid prescription taking their medicine as prescribed is unlikely to have breached the drug driving limits in the legislation. Medical defence will be available to a driver prescribed medicines.

Why does this matter?
Drugs are present in nearly a third of all fatal crashes on our roads. The most frequently found drugs in fatal crashes are cannabis and methamphetamine. If you've taken drugs, do not drive.