WELLINGTON – Big changes are hitting the roads of the capital and beyond. Yesterday, Wednesday, 26 March 2025, Parliament gave the final nod to a new law that’s about to change how we deal with drug-driving in New Zealand. The Land Transport (Drug Driving) Amendment Bill sailed through its third reading with backing from National, ACT, New Zealand First, and Labour – though all but National had some worries they want ironed out in a future review. The Greens and Te Pāti Māori weren’t having it, voting against it. Now, Wellingtonians are asking: what’s this mean for us?

For starters, this legislation gives police the power to stop you anywhere, anytime, and test your saliva for drugs. It’s set up to work like the random breath tests we’ve got for drink-driving. Soon, whether you’re driving down Willis Street or heading out to Lower Hutt, you could be pulled over for a quick swab. If that test shows drugs, things could get messy quick.

Here’s the rundown. Police can ask for a saliva sample at random – no suspicion needed. If it comes back positive for stuff like cannabis, meth, or cocaine, you’ll do a second test right there. Two positives, and you’re banned from driving for 12 hours, no ifs or buts. That first sample also heads to a lab for a proper check. If the lab finds “qualifying drugs” and signs of recent use, you’ll be slapped with a fine and demerit points on your licence. It’s a tough new system aimed at making our roads safer.

But not everyone’s thrilled. While National pushed it through, Labour, ACT, and New Zealand First had concerns they hope a statutory review will fix. The Greens and Te Pāti Māori outright opposed it. The Greens reckon the tests might not prove you’re actually impaired – just that you’ve got drugs in your system. Say you smoked cannabis a few days back; you could still test positive even if you’re fine to drive. Te Pāti Māori’s worried about fairness, saying Māori drivers, especially younger ones, might get targeted more, feeding into a system they already see as stacked against them.

Over on Facebook, Wellington locals are buzzing. One posted, “Finally, something to stop drugged drivers – too many wrecks lately.” Another fired back, “This is too much. What about people on medicinal cannabis? Are they in trouble now?” It’s a hot topic, and supporters like the Transport Minister argue it’s needed. They say drugs are linked to heaps of fatal crashes – about 30% nationwide – and this could save lives. Police are gearing up to do 50,000 tests a year once it kicks in by December 2025.

So, what’s this mean for Wellington? We’re big on buses and trains, but loads of us still drive – out to Porirua, Upper Hutt, or over the Remutakas. The goal’s to scare off anyone thinking of driving after taking drugs, just like breathalysers do for booze. But it’s not straightforward. With alcohol, there’s a clear limit – 0.05 – and you know where you stand. Drugs? Not so much. Cannabis can hang around in your saliva for days, which has some worried about getting pinged unfairly.

For Wellington’s medicinal cannabis users, it’s a bit tense. The law’s got a “medical defence” – if you’ve got a prescription and aren’t impaired, you might be okay. But proving that could mean paying for your own lab test to fight the result, and that’s not cheap for most. Critics also wonder if some might switch to harder drugs that don’t show up as easily, which could make things worse on our roads.

Police are getting ready now. They’ve got until December to sort out the testing gear and train up officers. Picture checkpoints popping up on Tinakori Road or out by Petone – it’s coming. Refuse a test? You’re hit with a fine, demerit points, and a 12-hour ban straight away. No wiggle room there.

This isn’t totally new ground. A few years back, they tried something like this, but the tech wasn’t ready, and it flopped. Now, they’ve tweaked it – roadside tests are just a first step, with the lab having the final say. Still, some reckon profiling’s a risk. Māori drivers often say they’re stopped more, and this could ramp that up.

For Wellington drivers, it’s real stuff. Imagine you’re late for a meeting in town, stuck at a checkpoint on Featherston Street, and the officer’s got a swab ready. Most won’t care if they’re clean, but the odd mix-up could sting. What if you’re a tradie from Kāpiti who had a puff last weekend and now can’t drive home? Or a mum on prescription meds facing a fine? It hits home quick.

But the numbers don’t mess around. Drugs and alcohol are tied to heaps of deadly crashes every year, and Wellington’s seen its share – think SH2 pile-ups or twists up to Karori. If this cuts even a few, backers say it’s worth it. The Transport Minister’s calling it a game-changer, betting we’ll look back in a few years and wonder why we ever doubted it.

Yet, questions hang about. Will the fines – probably $200 plus 50 demerit points – hit harder for those scraping by? Will a 12-hour ban leave folks stuck out in Masterton with no ride home? And 50,000 tests a year? That’s a lot for Wellington’s busy cops to juggle alongside their usual gigs.

For now, the law’s locked in, and December’s the deadline. Wellington drivers, heads up: keep it straight on the road, or you might be hoofing it. Whether this makes us safer or just stirs the pot, we’ll find out soon enough. One thing’s clear – it’s a big move, and we’re all in it together.

This is One Network Wellington Live, bringing you the latest from the heart of the capital. Stay with us as we follow this one – because in Wellington, there’s always more to unpack.