PM to unwrap drug-driving bill today

Police officers have been asking for this type of power for many years but scientific tests have not been available for roadside use to accurately determine what substances a drugged driver has smoked, ingested or injected.

Mr. Murie said the introduction in the United States of what is known as a drug recognition evaluation has eliminated that roadblock in recent years.

"It is a series of tests that look for families of drugs," he said. As the driver performs the tests, a skilled officer will usually be able to tell what kind of drug is causing the impairment. Then a bodily fluid is demanded to confirm the result.

Does this mean that they haven't overcome the problems related to drug testing? "Failing" a drug test does not mean you are actually impaired at the time of the test. It is possible for THC metabolites to be detected up to 90 days after ingesting marijuana. There are still no roadside tests that accurately determine if a person is impaired by drug use. They have decided to address this problem by having a "skilled officer" determine which drugs are causing the impairment. Is this going to be a truly objective way to determine whether a driver is actually impaired by drug use? Sounds a little fishy to me.

When the evaluation, plus the officer's assessment and the analysis of the blood or saliva sample, is presented to a court, Mr. Murie said, "it's been proven successful to get a conviction."

But he said he hopes Mr. Harper takes the initiative to be announced today several steps further.

There is speculation that the government will add at least one, and possibly three, new enhancements to existing drunk-driving legislation, he said.

"If it comes through," he said, "it will be the most comprehensive breakthrough [against drunk drivers] in 10 years."

I will be watching to see what will become of this. Drug testing is not an accurate way to judge impairment. Is drug testing combined with the evaluation of a skilled officer going to be any better? What about drivers impaired by sugar, caffeine, or lack of sleep?