The government is planning to start roadside drug testing by the end of the year, but there are concerns it could actually make roads less safe. The idea is to test drivers’ saliva for drugs like cocaine, meth, and cannabis to prevent drug-impaired driving. If someone tests positive twice, they’ll be banned from driving for 12 hours. Lab tests on samples could lead to fines or demerit points if recent drug use is confirmed.

Transport Minister Simeon Brown says the goal is to reduce drug-impaired driving, which contributed to 200 deadly crashes in New Zealand in 2022. The government’s stance is firm: people shouldn’t be driving on drugs that could harm others on the road.

However, experts warn that this approach could unfairly target people using prescription drugs, like medicinal cannabis for pain or mental health. Dr. Amie Hayley, a researcher from Melbourne, explains that these drivers might avoid driving out of fear of failing a test, even if they feel fine to drive. Others might skip their prescribed medicine altogether, potentially turning to stronger substances like opioids that won’t show up in tests but may impair driving more.

Once the program is launched, New Zealand police plan to conduct 50,000 saliva tests annually, similar to random alcohol breath testing. While the plan aims to keep roads safe, experts are concerned it may push some people to make dangerous choices about their medications just to avoid detection.