Pubdate: Tue, 20 Nov 2012
Source: Los Angeles Times (CA)
Copyright: 2012 Los Angeles Times
Contact:  http://www.latimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/248
Author: Wesley Lowery
Page: AA4

1 IN 7 DRIVERS TESTED POSITIVE FOR DRUGS

California officials are warning against "drugged driving " after a 
statewide survey found drugs that can affect driving in one of every 
seven weekend nighttime motorists - nearly twice the number of those 
with alcohol in their system.

The survey results, announced Monday by the California Office of 
Traffic Safety, found that 14% of drivers surveyed tested positive 
for driving under the inf luence of impairing drugs - both illegal 
and prescription - and 7.3% of drivers tested positive for driving 
with alcohol in their system.

"These results reinforce our belief that driving after consuming 
potentially impairing drugs is a serious and growing problem," 
Christopher J. Murphy, director of the Office of Traffic Safety, said 
in a statement.

The impaired driving survey included more than 1,300 drivers who 
voluntarily provided breath and/or saliva samples at roadside 
locations set up in nine California cities between 10 p.m. and 3 a.m. 
Friday and Saturday nights.

Samples were tested for alcohol, THC and major illegal drugs, as well 
as prescription and over-thecounter medications that may adversely 
affect driving.

Of the drugs found in the system of surveyed drivers, marijuana was 
most prevalent, with 7.4% of drivers testing positive.

"Drugged driving poses a serious threat to public safety," Gil 
Kerlikowske, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, 
said in a statement.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom