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New Bill Proposed To Combat ‘Drugged Driving’

Assemblyman Tom Lackey, R-Palmdale, has proposed a bill that would authorize use of roadside drug testing devices for drivers suspected of being under the influence.


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Lackey, who represents portions of the SCV as the 36th District representative, is a former 28-year veteran of the California Highway Patrol.

“California cannot wait any longer to take meaningful action against drugged driving now that voters have passed Proposition 64,” said Lackey. “Using new technology to identify and get stoned drivers off the road is something we need to embrace.”

He likely relied on that experience in crafting legislation introduced today authorizing use of roadside drug testing devices for evaluating drivers stopped under suspicion of driving under the influence.

After the passing of Proposition 64, which legalized marijuana for recreational use, the process of identifying a driver as being under the influence of drugs has taken on even more importance.

“The ballot initiative passed this year to legalize marijuana will result in more marijuana consumers on our state’s highways and roads. It is imperative that we invest in a broad spectrum of technologies and research to best identify marijuana-impaired drivers,” said Chief Ken Corney, president of the California Police Chiefs Association. “Our federal partners have demonstrated the efficacy of oral fluid testing, and we look forward to utilizing the technology at a state level.”

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A quick look at statistics from states that have legalized marijuana for recreational use shows that this new freedom is increasing the amount of drugged drivers on the roads.

A 2016 report from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that Washington’s rate of drivers who had recently used marijuana and were involved in fatal crashes doubled from 8 percent to 17 percent in the first year following legalization. It also found that one in six drivers involved in fatal crashes had recently used marijuana.

The proposed devices would work similarly to alcohol breathalyzers, the test would take saliva samples from the drivers by officers if they suspect the driver could be under the influence of drugs. The device would be able to then inform officers within a few minutes if the driver has tested positive for several classifications of drugs including marijuana.

The legislation was introduced as Assembly Bill 6, and expects to voted on in early 2017.

This information has been provided to KHTS through an Assemblyman Tom Lackey news release.

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New Bill Proposed To Combat ‘Drugged Driving’

One comment

  1. I hope this passes as it must be available to help our Law Enforcement in doing their jobs. The passing of Prop. 64 makes many of us concerned for our welfare.

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About Cody Como

Cody Como has been a member of the KHTS Staff since March 2016. After beginning as a web intern he was promoted to a Staff Writer in the fall of 2016. As a member of the KHTS News Team he has covered local events ranging from Six Flags Ride Openings and School STEAM Fairs to Brush Fires and Floods. A Graduate of West Ranch High School in Stevenson Ranch, Cody is a near lifelong resident of the Santa Clarita Valley. As a member of the production team Cody works to help bring some of the great KHTS On Air Programming to residents.