Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) (Approval of Instruments) Notice 2010

Road Safety (Alcohol and Drugs) (Approval of Instruments) Notice 2010

This is a Tasmanian government notice that formally approves specific devices or instruments used to test drivers for alcohol and drugs on Tasmanian roads.

What does it actually do? Under Tasmania's road safety laws, police can only use breathalysers and drug-testing equipment that have been officially approved by the government. This notice is the legal document that grants that approval — essentially giving the green light to specific testing devices.

Who does it affect?

• Drivers in Tasmania — if you are breath-tested or drug-tested by police, the device used must be one approved under a notice like this. If it isn't, the test result could be challenged in court.
• Police officers — they can only use approved devices when testing drivers.
• Courts — test results from approved instruments carry legal weight in drink/drug driving prosecutions.

Why does it matter? If a testing device isn't properly approved, any evidence gathered using it might not be admissible (accepted) in court. This protects people from being convicted based on results from unreliable or unauthorised equipment.

Note: The notice has been in force since November 2010 and has not been repealed as of the most recent access date.