A 39 year old man has been detected by Eden Police after a random breath and drug test on Tuesday 22 August 2017 with a positive result for drugs.
At 9.20am a Subaru wagon was stopped on Towamba Road, Eden. An oral fluid test was positive to Cannabis.
He was arrested and taken to Bega Police Station for a secondary test. He was issued a 24 hour prohibition notice from driving. Police will take legal action pending laboratory testing.
Mobile Drug Testing (MDT) operates alongside RBT for alcohol and police also have the power to test drivers they believe may be under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs. MDT is increasing and by 2017, there will be three times the number of tests on NSW roads. The MDT campaign combined with enforcement is the best way to stop drivers who have used drugs from getting behind the wheel when they shouldn't. When you are stopped MDT detects drivers who have recently used three common illegal drugs: ecstasy, cannabis and speed (including ice). MDT can be conducted at roadside operations along with RBT, or by NSW Police in vehicles patrolling our roads. As with RBT, you will be stopped by police, asked for your licence, and complete a breath test for alcohol. You will then be asked to wipe an MDT test stick down your tongue to check if you have illegal drugs in your system. The results take a few minutes to appear and you must wait until police say you are in the clear. Most drivers test negative and are soon on the road again. If your MDT test is positive, you’ll be taken to a roadside testing van or bus, or back to a police station to provide a saliva sample. This sample will also be tested and if positive, you’ll be banned from driving for 24 hours. All samples are sent to a laboratory for analysis. If the laboratory confirms the positive roadside result, police will contact you and charge you with driving with the presence of an illegal drug. If you are stopped for MDT or other reasons at the roadside, your behaviour or driving is erratic and police suspect you are under the influence of illegal or prescription drugs, they can also require you to undergo blood and urine testing. The tests cover a large range of legal and illegal substances that can impair drivers and can lead to a charge of driving under the influence (DUI), which has serious penalties.All drivers involved in fatal crashes undergo blood and urine testing for drugs and alcohol.
