Pubdate: Tue, 16 Dec 2014 Source: Winnipeg Free Press (CN MB) Copyright: 2014 Winnipeg Free Press Contact: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/send_a_letter Website: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/502 Page: B2 MORE SCRUTINY FOR DRUGGED-DRIVING SUSPECTS POLICE in Manitoba now have wider powers under provincial law to pull suspected drug-impaired drivers off the road. "Driving while impaired by drugs is dangerous, illegal and has serious consequences," provincial registrar of motor vehicles Ward Keith said. "These amendments now provide police with the authority to take immediate roadside action in cases where a driver fails or refuses adrug-recognition evaluation." That includes an immediate three-month suspension from driving and five demerit points if a driver fails the test. A driver faces the same penalty if they refuse to submit to a drug test or refuse to supply a blood or urine sample for a test. The amendments to the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation Act and Highway Traffic Act give police the power to issue the same penalty to a suspected drug-impaired driver regardless of the type of test police use to assess them - either a roadside physical coordination test or the more elaborate drug recognition evaluation test. That latter requires the testing of a blood or urine sample for drugs. The new regulations, which took effect Dec. 1, cover impairment due to both illegal and prescription drugs. The need to update the provincial legislation came out of concern from law enforcement that it wasn't strong enough. Police are more frequently dealing with drivers impaired by drugs, but lacked the authority to charge them as they would an alcohol-impaired driver. Additional consequences for drug-impaired drivers may include being charged under the Criminal Code, vehicle impoundment, a mandatory impaired driver assessment at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba at the driver's expense and participation in the ignition interlock program. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom