Pubdate: Fri, 18 Mar 2016
Source: Metro (Ottawa, CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Metro
Contact:  http://www.metronews.ca/Ottawa
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4032
Author: Joe Lofaro

REPORTER LEARNS RISK OF 'DRUGGED DRIVING'

It's not surprising that feeling supremely stoned in front of two
uniformed police officers is a truly embarrassing feeling.

Yet that's exactly how I felt Thursday when Ottawa Police Const. TJ
Jellinek was instructing me to walk toe-to-toe in a straight line
while counting out loud at the Shaw Centre.

Ottawa police officers were at the Ottawa-Gatineau International Auto
Show to give live demonstrations of a drugged driving simulation suit
designed by Ford to show what it's like to operate a vehicle while
impaired by cannabis, LSD, cocaine, ecstasy, or heroin.

Police hope the simulation at the popular show will draw attention to
the dangers of driving while impaired on drugs - what Sgt. John Kiss
calls "an emerging trend."

"The kids all get drunk driving is dangerous," said Kiss, who heads
the Ottawa Police Impaired Driving Counter Measures Program.

"'What's the matter? Have a toke. Drive. It loosens me up. I'm more
relaxed. I can drive better when I'm stoned.' This is the stuff we're
hearing. It's incredible."

At the Ford exhibit, officers have guests walk along a yellow strip of
tape while counting out loud and then return to the beginning point,
lift one leg, and count again.

Repeating the two exercises wearing Velcro body weights, distorted
vision goggles, and headphones is no simple task. It replicates slowed
reaction time, impaired judgment, confusion, blurred vision -- all
side effects of taking illicit drugs.

Kiss said whether it's alcohol or drugs, officers look for signs a
driver is impaired, such as glossy or bloodshot eyes, slurred speech,
and confusion.

"What we see (here) is exactly what we see when we see actual impaired
drivers," said Kiss.
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MAP posted-by: Matt