Police Want Help to Spot Drugged Drivers

With prescription drug abuse increasing at epidemic levels, a corresponding rise in the number of drugged drivers on the highways has resulted. The problem has grown so rapidly that it has outpaced both the technology and the ability law enforcement officers to identify and deal with the danger.

Now, thanks to two U.S. senators, some help may be on the way.

Sen. Charles Schumer of New York and Sen. Mark Pryor of Arkansas have proposed legislation that would provide federal funding to be used for research and training for police to address the lack of equipment needed to detect drugged drivers and the lack of training by police to identify them.

"Cops need a Breathalyzer-like technology that works to identify drug-impaired drivers on-the-spot -- before they cause irreparable harm," Schumer said. "With the explosive growth of prescription drug abuse it's vital that local law enforcement have the tools and training they need to identify those driving under the influence of narcotics to get them off the road."

Police Need Equipment, Training

The senators pointed to a 2007 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey which found that almost one in every six drivers were under the influence of illegal prescription or over-the-counter drugs.

An estimated 10.5 million Americans admitted to driving under the influence of drugs in the past year in another 2009 federal study. Another NHTSA study found that one-third of all drivers who died in auto crashes were using drugs at the time.

The grants proposed by Schumer and Pryor would help fund approved equipment to help detect drugged drivers and to help police participate in a program providing 200 hours of training on how to detect both drugged and drunken drivers.

The grants would be part of the upcoming transportation funding bill.

^{News Source: Police Seek Help on Drugged Driving}

More About Drugged Driving:

• Survey: Drugged Drivers Outnumber Drunks
  
• Drugged Driving a Growing Threat
  
• Does Marijuana Affect Driving?

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