Huge changes to driving laws in Queensland: What you need to know

Published: 01:48, 28 July 2026 | Updated: 01:48, 28 July 2026 Drivers with alcohol or drugs present in their system will face tougher penalties under new laws being considered in Queensland. The 'zero tolerance' drink and drug driving laws will double the penalties for drivers under the influence, along with tougher consequences for other offences. This includes increasing the maximum penalty for motor vehicle offences which result in death or grievous bodily harm from 16 years to 25 years. Increasing minimum licence disqualification periods, and expanding mandatory imprisonment requirements for serious and repeat dangerous driving offenders are also among the changes. The amendments are expected to come into effect on December 1. While the Crisafulli government maintains the reforms will emphasise the 'simple fact' that it's not safe to drive while under the influence, others have warned the changes will unfairly penalise people with medicinal marijuana prescriptions. Alcohol and Drug Foundation's (ADF) state manager Martin Milne said current roadside drug testing was limited to detecting the presence of THC in saliva and couldn't measure impairment. 'They face fines, losing their licence and aggravated penalties, simply for taking their medication as directed,' Mr Milne said in his submission on the bill.  Queensland's new 'zero tolerance' drink and drug driving laws will double the penalties for drivers under the influence (stock image) 'THC can remain detectable in saliva for up to three days after use. Under the proposed laws, a person may be penalised despite the psychoactive effects of the drug (and any impairment of driving ability) long having worn off.' Former magistrate and Dean of Law at Southern Cross University David Heilpern also said the hardline approach would mean Queenslanders with prescriptions will either 'run the gauntlet' or not use their medication in fear of the new laws. 'What we're seeing is Queensland is out of touch with the rest of Australia,' Mr Heilpern told the ABC last month. 'There is absolutely no evidence that medicinal cannabis users, using consistently within their prescription, have increased road trauma anywhere. 'Instead [they] use their opioids or their benzodiazepines… all of which is shown to increase road trauma.' However others have championed the reforms, including RACQ general manager for advocacy Joshua Cooney, who said Queensland is in a 'road safety crisis'. 'There's too much bloodshed and carnage that's taking place on our roads,' Mr Cooney told a parliamentary committee on Monday, referring to the 70 drug-related deaths on Queensland's roads last year. 'In most of those cases, it's involved cannabis. The changes, expected to come into effect on December 1, have received a mixed response (stock image) 'We're not here to stand against the use of medicinal cannabis. We're here to advocate for improved road safety.'  The Australian Medical Association's Queensland (AMAQ) branch has also issued their support on a continued ban for any drivers using medicinal cannabis. Queensland's parliamentary committee will consider feedback on the bill before it is debated in state parliament. It comes as NSW recently introduced drug driving reforms that would exempt drivers who have a prescription and are found to have less than 50 nanograms per millilitre of THC in their system. Victoria and Tasmania also have provisions for people with prescriptions.