Roadside Drug Testing Now Operating Across Eastern Bay of Plenty

Drivers in the Eastern Bay of Plenty can now expect to be stopped for roadside drug testing alongside routine alcohol checks, with police confirming the regime has recently begun operating in the district.

Community constable Rob Jones said the new roadside oral fluid testing programme had recently reached the Eastern Bay and motorists should expect to encounter it during traffic stops.

"We've been testing people for drink driving for a long long time but now the drug policy has come in and police are testing that and that as I understand has just recently come into the Whakatane or the Eastern Bay are plenty areas so don't be surprised if you do get stopped one night that you get tested for drink driving but you may also get tested for any drug consumption that you may have occurred."

Jones said the message to motorists was straightforward.

"So don't drink and drive and don't take drugs and drive is the message."

His comments come as New Zealand Police say that roadside drug testing has been operating nationwide since 1 July, following an initial rollout in Wellington in December 2025.

Under the new regime, police can randomly require drivers to provide a saliva sample at the roadside without needing reasonable suspicion.

The initial screening test checks for four drugs: THC (cannabis), methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA.

Drivers who return two positive roadside tests are prohibited from driving for 12 hours.

A separate saliva sample is then sent to a laboratory for evidential testing for any of 25 qualifying drugs before any infringement notice is issued.

Police say the system is designed to detect recent drug use rather than measure impairment directly.

Acting Director of Road Policing Inspector Peter McKennie said the nationwide rollout marked a significant addition to police road safety enforcement.

"The positive effect of having road policing staff throughout New Zealand who can conduct roadside drug testing cannot be understated and is a major milestone in our ongoing efforts to improve road safety."

Police say alcohol and drugs remain leading contributors to fatal crashes. In 2024, drugs were a contributing factor in 73 fatal crashes resulting in 91 deaths.

From December 2025 through 30 June 2026, police have completed 4143 roadside screening tests nationally. Of those, 134 returned positive results, a positivity rate of 3.2%.

Jones said while he was not an expert on how long drugs remain detectable, drivers should avoid taking risks.

"If you just consume something and you decide to drive a couple of hours later, there's probably a good chance it's still going to be in your system, so just don't take the chance,” he said.

“A big part is we just don't want people to have accidents and kill themselves or kill someone else or hurt another person because of that consumption."

Under the legislation, drivers who refuse to provide a saliva sample can receive a $400 infringement, 75 demerit points and an immediate 12-hour driving prohibition.

If laboratory testing confirms one qualifying drug is present above the legal threshold, the driver faces a $200 infringement and 50 demerit points.

Detection of two or more qualifying drugs carries a $400 infringement and 75 demerit points.

Police say drivers using prescribed medication, including medicinal cannabis, may have a medical defence against an infringement notice if they have followed their prescriber's instructions.

However, that defence does not prevent the 12-hour roadside driving prohibition if two screening tests return positive.