Pubdate: Wed, 18 Mar 2009
Source: Nanaimo Daily News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Nanaimo Daily News
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1608
Author: Jodie Emery

IMPAIRED CHARGES SHOULD RELY ON DRIVER'S ACTIONS

Re: 'Drug-using drivers are new target' (Daily News, March 16)

When a driver is driving erratically and swerving on the road, they 
are likely impaired and pose a risk to others. That's why impairment 
is determined by performance, not what a driver has consumed.

Concluding that someone is impaired based on the substances in their 
body, rather than their performance on the road, is not about 
detecting and stopping impaired driving at all.

The drug recognition experts are seeking out and punishing marijuana 
users, not just impaired drivers. Performance, not the contents of 
one's body fluids, should be the deciding factor when it comes to 
detecting impairment.

Jody Emery

Vancouver
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom