BREAKING NEWS: Police abandon roadside breath and drug tests in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus
- Queensland Police will abandon stationary roadside breath tests amid COVID-19
- They announced approach would take immediate effect on Monday afternoon
- The decision was made to ‘minimise health risks’ to officers and the community
- Similar measures have also been implemented by police in New South Wales
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Police will abandon stationary roadside breath tests in a bid to combat the spread of COVID-19.
Queensland Police announced the approach would take immediate effect on Monday afternoon.
‘The decision has been made to minimise health risks to QPS officers and the community,’ they said in a statement.
‘Road safety continues to be a significant priority for the QPS. The QPS will continue to undertake random breath and drug testing through high visibility mobile patrols.
Queensland Police announced the approach would take immediate effect on Monday afternoon (stock image)
‘The QPS is constantly conducting risk assessments and considering health advice to ensure officer and community safety as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.’
The roadside breath and drug tests will be suspended ‘until further notice’, QLD Police said.
Similar measures have also been implemented in New South Wales.
‘The NSWPF Executive is taking measures to keep our workforce healthy and ready to maintain the highest level of response to the community of NSW,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
‘The Police Commissioner, in consultation with the Minister for Emergency Services, has determined police officers may decide it is not reasonable to undertake stationary RBT and RDT in the current climate.’
Police will ‘use their discretion’ when deciding if it is viable to conduct stationary roadside breath and drug tests.
‘Proactive Policing activities play a vital role in keeping the community safe including those on our roads,’ NSW Police said.
‘As such Police will continue to remain focused on traffic enforcement strategies, including targeted mobile RBT and RDT.’
NSW Police have also implemented similar measures. ‘The NSWPF Executive is taking measures to keep our workforce healthy and ready to maintain the highest level of response to the community of NSW,’ they said in a statement (stock image)