A total of 15 people have been caught driving while under the influence of drugs in the last six months in the Western Bay of Plenty.

Sergeant Mike Owen says officer's enforcement in the Western Bay of Plenty of drugged drivers is very good.

Sergeant Mike Owen says drugs slow people's reaction times.

'Hence, we have led the country in this respect. We maximise the chance of these people getting caught by ensuring many officers as possible are trained in the legislation.

'Supplying the staff with the tools and confidence to do the job is essential.”
A new road safety campaign on New Zealand television is directly targeting cannabis users who driver under the influence.

The NZ Transport Agency ads target drivers in their 30s and 40s who think its okay to drive after using cannabis.

'By and large, these people are not risk takers. We're talking to the ‘sensible stoners' who believe that using cannabis has little impact on their driving,” says road safety director Ernst Zollner.

'Many believe that they are safer drivers because they think they're more focused, drive slower, and are therefore more careful on the roads. They don't consider what they're doing to be dangerous – but we're asking them to reconsider that notion, because the facts tell a very different story.”

Mike says if motorists are stopped by police and drug use is suspected, a quick roadside assessment is undertaken by the officer.

'If the officer's suspicions are supported by this assessment they will then be required to accompany police to a police station for further assessment.

'If they fail this assessment, then a blood sample is taken and sent for analysis. If the result of that blood analysis shows drugs in the system, they will be charged accordingly.”

Mike offers the same advice to drugged drivers as he does to drink drivers – Don't do it.

'The consequences for their actions can be immense. They think they are in better control of the car and driver slower, but the reality is drugs impair their reactions.

'Reactions are an essential part of driving and having the ability to think straight, think fast and think clearly are must. Being impaired by drugs does not allow you to do all these things – you're not a safe diver when under the influence of drugs.”