TMR Driving and Cannabis Community Consultation:
Background
As a commitment under the Queensland Road Safety Action Plan 2022–2024, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is leading a wide-ranging review (the Review) of Queensland's drug driving policies.
TMR is aware that research has shown that drug drivers are not a homogenous group with individuals using a range of different types of drugs for a variety of reasons extending from medicinal or addiction through to recreation. In designing policy interventions to tackling drug driving, it is essential that effective responses are developed through a human-centered approach that considers individual motivators and broader system influences that result in a person driving while drugs are present in their system.
For example, cannabis poses a unique challenge due to several factors including the way it is prescribed and used, high variability within and between individuals, and the way it impacts a person’s ability to assess their own impairment.
Therefore, as part of the Review, public consultation has been undertaken on the issue of 'cannabis and driving', including through a public discussion paper. This consultation will be used to fully explore the issues faced by persons using cannabis and the potential impacts of future policy changes to manage its road safety risks.
There are two elements that are considered as part of this report and include:
The Cannabis and Driving in Queensland discussion paper that sought to understand issues by inviting the community to provide information through an online feedback form on challenges, impacts and possible ways forward in relation to cannabis and driving. The paper also included a high-level jurisdictional analysis of the approaches taken elsewhere. The discussion paper was available to the public on the Get Involved website for four weeks (17th November 2023-17th December 2023). The community and stakeholders were also able to respond to the discussion paper via a written submission.
Focus groups on cannabis and driving that sought to understand the same issues considered in the discussion paper. TMR commissioned a series of personal focus groups to ensure a wide representation of the Queensland community, including geographical and demographic diversity across the state. These focus groups provided an opportunity for members of the community to discuss their knowledge, understanding, and attitude towards cannabis use and driving in Queensland.
Outcomes from the discussion paper and the focus groups will be collated and considered alongside other research and consultation to help guide the development of a package of reforms to be considered by the Queensland Government.