NEW roadside drug testing kits have been rolled out to WA Police ahead of double demerit point penalties kicking in for the festive season tonight.
Police and Road Safety Minister Michelle Roberts made the announcement at the launch of the State-wide Police Traffic Campaign today, saying the new kits were more compact and portable.
Ms Roberts said the kits allowed the screening process to be conducted from standard police cars.
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READ NOWPrevious testing was mostly conducted from breath and drug buses or in areas with close proximity to a police station.
“The message is simple – don’t drink and drive or get behind the wheel with illicit drugs in your system, or you can expect to get caught,” she said.
“Not only are those people risking their own lives, but they put the lives of other road users at serious risk.
“I urge all Western Australians to spare a thought for others this festive season and show some courtesy, consideration and care on the roads.”
The traffic blitz, which starts today and runs through to the end of the double demerit point period on January 7, will include drug and booze bus operations across the metropolitan area.
Both marked and unmarked traffic vehicles, along with covert police motorbikes will target speeding, seatbelt offences and drivers using their mobile phones
The double demerit point period starts at midnight tonight.