http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/local/hampden/cracking-down-on-drugged-driving
Cracking down on drugged driving
Two senators are proposing new guidelines
Updated: Sunday, 29 Jan 2012, 7:46 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 29 Jan 2012, 2:13 PM EST
Shannon Halligan
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Should more be done to prevent people under the influence of drugs from getting behind the wheel? 22News looked into the new push to stop those who are using drugs from driving.
Drugged driving, is it as bad as drunk driving? Well, two senators say more needs to be done to attack driving under the influence of drugs.
They think the federal funding should be used for research and to train police how to spot a drugged driver.
But research is the key because there's no approved equipment to help identify someone who is on drugs.
“I know like with the drunk driving you can do the breathalyzer test but I don't know how they can really tell you're high,” said Kristen Hallett of Easthampton.
And it's become apparent that it is a growing problem.
Over the last say 15, 20 years when drugs are more prevalent in society I think it's also something that we should be more attune to as far as police activity,” said Robert Ansty of West Springfield.
A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a third of all drug tests on drivers killed in a car accident in 2009 had used drugs.
Although drug use may not be the cause of the crash, the number of drivers using drugs has become a growing concern.
Drugged driving and drunk driving are the same. To be able to identify that it shouldn't be out there, that it's dangerous for myself, grandkids and everybody else who's out there,” said Ed Caron from Springfield, Vermont.
In New York, drugged driving arrests rose 35 percent since 2001. But the senator from that state proposing this training says that's only a fraction of the cases.
Two senators are proposing new guidelines
Updated: Sunday, 29 Jan 2012, 7:46 PM EST
Published : Sunday, 29 Jan 2012, 2:13 PM EST
Shannon Halligan
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Should more be done to prevent people under the influence of drugs from getting behind the wheel? 22News looked into the new push to stop those who are using drugs from driving.
Drugged driving, is it as bad as drunk driving? Well, two senators say more needs to be done to attack driving under the influence of drugs.
They think the federal funding should be used for research and to train police how to spot a drugged driver.
But research is the key because there's no approved equipment to help identify someone who is on drugs.
“I know like with the drunk driving you can do the breathalyzer test but I don't know how they can really tell you're high,” said Kristen Hallett of Easthampton.
And it's become apparent that it is a growing problem.
Over the last say 15, 20 years when drugs are more prevalent in society I think it's also something that we should be more attune to as far as police activity,” said Robert Ansty of West Springfield.
A report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows a third of all drug tests on drivers killed in a car accident in 2009 had used drugs.
Although drug use may not be the cause of the crash, the number of drivers using drugs has become a growing concern.
Drugged driving and drunk driving are the same. To be able to identify that it shouldn't be out there, that it's dangerous for myself, grandkids and everybody else who's out there,” said Ed Caron from Springfield, Vermont.
In New York, drugged driving arrests rose 35 percent since 2001. But the senator from that state proposing this training says that's only a fraction of the cases.
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