On 1 December 2000, new legislation came into force in Victoria to provide a framework for the procedure to be followed by police for the detection of drivers impaired by drugs other than alcohol. An integral part of the process is the use of the tests known as the Standard Field Sobriety Tests (SFST). This paper outlines the new legislative framework and drug impairment detection procedure then presents an evaluation of the first twelve months of operation. The evaluation demonstrates the use of the SFST in the procedure is a practical, effective and valid means for police to detect impairment in drivers caused by drugs other than alcohol, particularly when narcotic analgesics, central nervous system depressants or cannabis are involved. (Author/publisher) For the covering abstract of the conference see ITRD Abstract No. E201067.
Samenvatting