Drug driving

Drug Driving & Roadside Impairment Tests

New Zealand drug driving law changed in mid 2009 with the changes coming into effect in late 2009.

The Police can now require drivers to undergo Compulsory Impairment Tests if they have “good cause to suspect” that a driver has consumed a drug or drugs.

A blood sample may be taken for laboratory analysis. The analytical (forensic toxicology) results can be used in conjunction with the results of the compulsory impairment tests to prove drug driving.

The revised NZ system is based on the English system – individual case circumstances and interpretation of the blood results are crucial in relation to successful prosecution.

Our Drug Driving Experts have considerable English Drug Driving casework experience, which means we are ideally placed to assist with these cases.

Contact Us for advice on:

• what the Compulsory Impairment Tests involve

• what the blood analysis (forensic toxicology) results mean

• analysis of a specimen

• any other drug driving related matters