A Canterbury University academic has complained to the
Advertising Standards Authority over a television
advertisement he says is misleading young people about new
drug-driving laws.
The combined New Zealand Transport Agency-Police ad shows a
police officer pulling over a car load of young people,
finding the driver had not been drinking and saying that he
was now required to undergo a drug test.
In his complaint, David Small said the ad breached the
standard of truthful presentation by giving the false
impression that drivers who were "sober, young, not white and
enjoying themselves at night can be required to undergo a
drugs test when they have done nothing wrong".
Dr Small said one effect of the ad would be to make young
people less likely to agree to be the sober driver for the
night.
NZTA spokesman Andy Knackstedt said the ad was part of a
campaign designed to inform the public that police were now
able to test drivers suspected of using drugs.
Under the new legislation, which came into effect on November
1, a police officer who had "good cause to suspect" that a
driver had consumed drugs may require him or her to take a
compulsory impairment test.
Grounds could include erratic driving or, if the driver had
been stopped for another reason, appearing to be under the
influence of drugs. The ad portrayed a truthful
representation of the actual process conducted and was
produced in careful consultation with police to achieve the
most accurate result, Mr Knackstedt said.
The NZTA looked forward to the outcome of the Advertising
Standards Authority's consideration of Dr Small's complaint,
he added.
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