| ROAD SAFETY MUST BE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE |
** "When lives are at stake, laws should not be tested on the roads;
because one victim due to a drug-influenced driver is an unacceptable
price to pay."
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ROAD SAFETY MUST BE GROUNDED IN SCIENCE
4/06/2026
(See translation in Arabic section)
Sydney-Middle East Times Int'l: Labor’s three strikes drug driving policy is premature and risks the safety of road users in NSW, with the Government admitting it’s still working on the evidence for the changes.
The Minns Labor Government has announced plans to introduce a maximum threshold for THC despite no scientific consensus of what level of THC reliably measures driver impairment.
The new measures come at a time when there is concern medicinal cannabis prescriptions in NSW have doubled in a 12-month period, with the number of users surging to 300,000.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said the NSW Liberals and Nationals would oppose the changes.
“The Roads Minister herself has admitted they’re still trying to determine the evidence base. Our road rules should not change until there is certainty as to what level of THC causes impairment," Ms Sloane said.
The Minister has also said two warnings will be given to users, so they have the opportunity to determine how THC impacts them.
“A child injured or killed as a result of the actions of a drug driver does not get three chances.”
"Until the evidence around THC levels exists, the Minns Labor Government is setting an arbitrary limit and hoping for the best. That is not good enough when lives are at stake."
Shadow Roads Minister Mark Coure said one in ten deaths on our roads are caused by drivers with THC in their system.
“We must exercise extreme caution on this issue given the statistics. With a record road toll, these issues should be settled in a science lab, not on our roads,” Mr Coure said.
“Our road laws must be designed to protect every road user including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists and families going about their daily lives.”
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