Overview
- The Crisafulli government announced two bills to parliament on Friday that will double fines and penalties for drink- and drug-driving and expand mandatory jail terms for serious or repeat dangerous driving.
- From December 1, 2026 drivers caught drug- or drink-driving will face higher fines, longer licence disqualifications, immediate six‑month suspensions for speeding more than 40 km/h, and minimum court-imposed fines.
- Ministers said the moves follow a jump in the 2026 road toll and more roadside detections, with police citing 1.25 million random breath tests that found thousands more impaired drivers this year.
- The laws adopt a strict zero‑tolerance approach that applies to drivers using prescribed medicinal cannabis and rejects NSW-style THC thresholds, prompting criticism from legal and patient advocates who say current tests detect presence not impairment.
- Further measures signalled for 2027 include mandatory drug‑driving education programs, stronger camera-detected seatbelt enforcement and changes to roadside drug-testing processes, while road-safety groups like RACQ have publicly backed tougher sanctions.