Drivers being asked to stand on one leg, to walk in a straight line and having their eyes checked will become part of police procedure from later this year, after legislation passed in Parliament gave police new powers to deal with drivers on drugs.
The legislation, passed on Wednesday night, empowers police to require drivers who appear to be impaired by drugs, either illegal or prescription, to perform three roadside tests.
It was already technically against the law to drive after using drugs, but until now there had been no specific penalties for drug-impaired drivers and limited testing was available.
Under the old law, it was an offence to be driving a motor vehicle while incapable of proper control, which could include being under the influence of drugs.
But the new law makes it illegal to drive while under the influence of drugs.
The penalties will be the same as for drunk driving, which can carry a maximum fine of up to $6000 or a year in prison.
National road policing manager Superintendent Paula Rose, of Wellington, said, when contacted, the tests gave police an extra tool to deal with the increasing number of people who were driving while under the influence of drugs.
Drivers who appeared to be impaired would first be given a breath-alcohol test.
If they passed, they would then undergo the three tests, either at the roadside or at a police station.
If they failed the impairment tests, they would be "formally requested" to give a blood sample to reveal whether they had drugs in their system.
Supt Rose said there was no simple test for drugs other than alcohol, and there was nothing in law as to what was an acceptable level of drug in a person's system while driving.
People would be tested only if their driving was impaired.
Front-line police officers would be trained in performing the tests in coming months.
Traffic police had already been trained.
"Comprehensive" community education and awareness would be undertaken before the law was implemented.
Supt Rose said people who had been prescribed drugs by a doctor and told they were safe to drive did not need to be concerned, as the tests were targeted at people who were unsafe on the road.
The new tests would allow police to get more of an understanding of how widespread the drug driving issue was, she said.
