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Local News

Roadside drug testing pilot program begins in five counties

In an effort to combat the dangers of drugged driving, five Michigan counties, Berrien, Delta, Kent, St. Clair and Washtenaw, will take part in a one-year roadside drug testing pilot program, established by the Michigan State Police.

 

The Preliminary Oral Fluid Analysis program, beginning Nov. 8,  will establish policies for administration of roadside drug testing to see if an individual is operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance in violation of Michigan law,  according to an MSP news release.

 

Over the last several years, Michigan has seen a steady increase in fatal crashes involving drivers impaired by drugs.  In 2016, there were 236 drug-involved traffic fatalities, up from 179 drug-involved traffic fatalities in 2015.

 

“Motorists under the influence of drugs pose a risk to themselves and others on the road,” said Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, director of the MSP.

“With drugged driving on the rise, law enforcement officers need an effective tool to assist in making these determinations during a traffic stop.”

The pilot counties were chosen based on the number of impaired driving crashes, impaired drivers arrested and trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) in the county.//

 

DREs are police officers who have received highly specified training that allows them to identify drivers impaired by drugs. Although the pilot program is being organized and managed by the Michigan State Police, DRE officers employed by county, township and municipal police agencies will also be involved.

 

A DRE officer may require a person to submit to a preliminary oral fluid analysis to detect the presence of a controlled substance if they suspect the driver is impaired by drugs.

 

The analysis of oral fluid, obtained by a mouth swab, will be given along with the drug recognition 12-step evaluation currently used by officers. Refusal to submit to a preliminary analysis is a civil infraction.

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