RACQ submission on ‘Cannabis and driving in Queensland consultation paper’

Advocacy
Queensland Government has released a ‘Cannabis and driving in Queensland consultation paper’ as part of a broader review of drug driving in Queensland.
Queensland police car

 Our submission is based on RACQ’s long held support for and prioritisation of road safety.

RACQ believes that the Queensland Government should investigate compulsory drug saliva testing at the roadside following a crash. With such a significant number of fatalities resulting from crashes involving drug drivers – and with so many drivers having tested positive for delta-9 tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) at the roadside it is important that Queensland increases the amount of roadside drug tests undertaken.

Another key issue in the consultation paper is the possible introduction of a medical defence provision for those who take cannabis containing THC in accordance with a valid prescription, in a similar way to in Tasmania. RACQ’s submission is that this defence, if considered further, should only apply provided that the driver is using the prescribed medicine/s, only using it/them as directed, and with regard to the evidence of whether they were driving impaired or driving unsafely.

Read the full submission.

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The information in this article has been prepared for general information purposes only and is not intended as legal advice or specific advice to any particular person. Any advice contained in the document is general advice, not intended as legal advice or professional advice and does not take into account any person’s particular circumstances. Before acting on anything based on this advice you should consider its appropriateness to you, having regard to your objectives and needs.