- Staff
- #1
Is this a new law or a change to a current law:
New - The current 12.15 would become 12.16
What law do you wish to change/add: Unfit to Drive
Why should this change/addition be made:
Introducing an ‘Unfit to Drive’ law would effectively bridge the gap between existing offences such as driving while intoxicated and driving without due care and attention. This legislation would empower traffic officers to take decisive action in cases where a driver’s behaviour clearly demonstrates an inability to operate a vehicle safely, even if standard intoxication tests return negative results.
To illustrate the need for this law, consider the following scenario:
A driver is pulled over for speeding. During the interaction, they exhibit erratic behaviour, including slurred speech and a lack of coordination. As a precaution, officers conduct a field sobriety test, asking the driver to walk in a straight line while counting backwards from ten. The driver is unable to complete the task correctly, prompting further tests for alcohol and drugs. However, both tests return negative results. Despite this, it is evident that the driver is unfit to be on the road.
While such cases may seem rare, officers within Road Traffic Units (RTU) frequently encounter situations where a driver poses a clear risk despite not meeting the legal threshold for existing offences. Introducing an ‘Unfit to Drive’ law would provide officers with the necessary legal framework to intervene appropriately, in addition to improving roleplay.
Under this proposed legislation, penalties would include:
• A fine of up to $2,000
• Impoundment of the vehicle
• No prison sentence
This approach prioritises road safety while ensuring officers have the discretion to act in the best interest of public welfare.
Additional Information:
RTU training to effectively conduct field sobriety/ fit to drive exams would need to be introduced so the law isn’t abused and officers can back up their justification.
New - The current 12.15 would become 12.16
What law do you wish to change/add: Unfit to Drive
Why should this change/addition be made:
Introducing an ‘Unfit to Drive’ law would effectively bridge the gap between existing offences such as driving while intoxicated and driving without due care and attention. This legislation would empower traffic officers to take decisive action in cases where a driver’s behaviour clearly demonstrates an inability to operate a vehicle safely, even if standard intoxication tests return negative results.
To illustrate the need for this law, consider the following scenario:
A driver is pulled over for speeding. During the interaction, they exhibit erratic behaviour, including slurred speech and a lack of coordination. As a precaution, officers conduct a field sobriety test, asking the driver to walk in a straight line while counting backwards from ten. The driver is unable to complete the task correctly, prompting further tests for alcohol and drugs. However, both tests return negative results. Despite this, it is evident that the driver is unfit to be on the road.
While such cases may seem rare, officers within Road Traffic Units (RTU) frequently encounter situations where a driver poses a clear risk despite not meeting the legal threshold for existing offences. Introducing an ‘Unfit to Drive’ law would provide officers with the necessary legal framework to intervene appropriately, in addition to improving roleplay.
Under this proposed legislation, penalties would include:
• A fine of up to $2,000
• Impoundment of the vehicle
• No prison sentence
This approach prioritises road safety while ensuring officers have the discretion to act in the best interest of public welfare.
Additional Information:
RTU training to effectively conduct field sobriety/ fit to drive exams would need to be introduced so the law isn’t abused and officers can back up their justification.
