Aussies trade road safety for testing folly

Australia's approach to the war on some drugs is beginning to look more like the US all the time. The government recently instituted roadside saliva testing for 'drugged' drivers. The trouble is, according to the scientific community, the test is flawed and likely to produce false positives.

Just ask John De Jong, the first driver in the world to return a positive roadside saliva test, who was falsely accused of driving under the influence. The government, caring nothing for his welfare, took their sweet time in releasing the results, but it turned out that he was innocent.

However, in true US prohibition profiteering style, "Police Minister Andre Haermeyer yesterday tried to shore up confidence in the tests and said he had full confidence in the system. He said a wrongly accused driver faced 'a little bit of inconvenience'. " He sees no need to apologize.

Further, the government intends to continue the flawed testing. Meanwhile De Jong intends to take legal action. I hope he sues their pants off.

[thanks to Leigh Meyers]

UPDATE: Preston Peet sends in this. It appears the second of three drivers who have been snared by this test was also proved innocent. Jeesh.