Police Get More Power To Stop Stoned Drivers
June 27th, 2008Just in time for the holiday weekend, federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson praises new legistlation allowing police forces across the country to compel drivers to take roadside tests for drugs. While it has always been an offense to operate a motor vehicle under the influence of drugs, police had no power to make a driver submit a blood, urine or saliva sample.
“We’re zeroing in on in those individuals who take drugs and who are impaired while they’re driving,” he said at an announcement on Toronto’s waterfront.
“It’s a big step forward. It’s something that Mothers Against Drunk Driving, law enforcement agencies, and people who have been victims of impaired driving have been calling for quite some time.”
Prior to the new legistlation, police were obligated to tell drivers that the road side tests were not mandatory and that the test results could be used against them in court. As a result, many drivers would refuse the tests. Starting July 2nd, 2008 refusing to take such a road side test would be a criminal offense much like how refusing to take a breathalyzer is a criminal offense.
While police do say that the new powers would not be used to charge drivers with trace levels of drugs in their system, time will tell to see how everything pans out.
Sgt. Robert Martin, with York Regional Police, said officers won’t be using the new law to unnecessarily penalize drivers if they have traces of drugs in their system. Certain narcotics, such as marijuana, will show up in blood tests long after the high wears off.
Unless a person appears to be impaired, they won’t be pulled over, Martin said.
Have a safe holiday weekend, and if you’re partaking in any extra-curricular activities remember to arrange for a designated driver unless you want to provide a fluid sample at the next check stop or road block you drive through.
Tags:impaired driving, mothers against drunk driving, road safety
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good - i dont want no fuggin stoner to hit me because he was dreaming of McChickens
Good! About time!
Kudos.
Driving stoned is still driving intoxicated, and should not be allowed.
sad that now i must wait a month to drive seeing how the thc stays in the system for the long
[...] Today is also the last day that Police will be powerless to pull suspected drug intoxicated drivers off the road as new legistlation targetting drivers under the influence of drugs. [...]
FUCK now I can’t get high and drive. That’s bullshit!
Agghhhh shite, I guess I’ll have to buy that new Grand theft Auto afterall, and do a reefer, then play it,then get some smarties, and ice cream and then some of those fucken chocolate covered pretzels, oh yeahhhhhh……
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[...] woman became the first person to be charged under a new federal law that gave police officers power to conduct roadside drug testing. Before the new law was introduced, officers were obligated to inform drivers they were not [...]