- ACT police given power to enter homes without permission to test suspected drink-drivers
- 11/02/2016 Make a Comment
- Contributed by: Greg ( 1 article in 2016 )
New ACT laws have closed a loophole that previously allowed drink-drivers to avoid being breath tested, by giving police the right to enter homes without permission in some circumstances.
Officers will now be able to enter a home to test a driver for alcohol or drugs, when they suspect an offence has been committed.
Previously, suspected offenders could refuse to allow officers to enter a premises.
Road Safety Minister Shane Rattenbury said the community rightly expected that people who drank excessively or used drugs before driving would be detected and removed from roads.
"This change ensures that drivers who drive whilst affected by alcohol or drugs will no longer be able to avoid sanction for their dangerous and criminal behaviour by refusing to allow police officers to enter premises to undertake the necessary testing," he said.
The legislation also made a number of other changes to the Territory's road safety laws.
Drivers will now be able to elect to receive parking and traffic infringements by email, rather than through the post.
"Drivers who wish to complete certain infringement notice declarations, such as a declaration that they were not the driver at the time of an offence, can also now do so online," Mr Rattenbury said.
Officers will now be able to enter a home to test a driver for alcohol or drugs, when they suspect an offence has been committed.
Previously, suspected offenders could refuse to allow officers to enter a premises.
Road Safety Minister Shane Rattenbury said the community rightly expected that people who drank excessively or used drugs before driving would be detected and removed from roads.
"This change ensures that drivers who drive whilst affected by alcohol or drugs will no longer be able to avoid sanction for their dangerous and criminal behaviour by refusing to allow police officers to enter premises to undertake the necessary testing," he said.
The legislation also made a number of other changes to the Territory's road safety laws.
Drivers will now be able to elect to receive parking and traffic infringements by email, rather than through the post.
"Drivers who wish to complete certain infringement notice declarations, such as a declaration that they were not the driver at the time of an offence, can also now do so online," Mr Rattenbury said.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-02-10/police-given-power-to-enter-homes-to-test-drunk-drivers-canberra/7154332
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