Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal Leader
Mark Coure
Shadow Minister for Roads
The Minns Labor Government must abandon its reckless three strikes drug driving policy after the Roads Minister admitted cannabis use impairs driving and was unable to explain the medical evidence underpinning Labor’s changes.
In an extraordinary interview with 2GB’s James Willis this morning, Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison refused to name a single doctor, road trauma specialist, scientist or medical expert who supported the 50ng/mL limit or the decision to allow multiple detections before penalties applied.
The Minister also claimed that the 50ng/mL limit has been in place ‘for years’ despite NSW Police stating the threshold remains zero.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said Labor’s experiment with road safety will risk lives.
“It is deeply hypocritical for the Minister to claim her top priority is road safety when she is allowing drug driving despite experts warning it will result in more body bags,” Ms Sloane said.
“20 experts have said there is no scientifically agreed level of THC which reliably indicates impairment, if the Minister has medical evidence to the contrary she should release it or abandon this reckless change to road safety.”
Shadow Minister for Roads Mark Coure said it was concerning Minister Aitchison saw no need to increase roadside drug tests given the new laws would see more drivers with drugs in their system on NSW roads.
“Throughout the interview the Minister repeatedly argued the reforms were about fairness for medicinal cannabis users yet failed to explain how allowing drivers with THC in their system makes NSW roads safer,” Mr Coure said.
“The Minister cannot simultaneously admit cannabis impairs driving while weakening the laws designed to keep impaired drivers off our roads.”
