Ottawa moves let police test drivers for drugs | Globe and Mail

[Ediacara]

Ottawa moves let police test drivers for drugs

By KIM LUNMAN
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail

Ottawa — The federal government introduced legislation yesterday that would give police sweeping powers to charge drug-impaired drivers, including intrusive physical testing that would allow them to take saliva, blood and urine tests from motorists.

The new bill would amend the Criminal Code to give police the authority to demand roadside standardized field sobriety tests when they have a reasonable suspicion that a driver is impaired by drugs.

It would also give investigators the right to administer drug recognition expert evaluations, known as DRE evaluations, in cases where the officer reasonably believes a drug-impaired driving offence was committed. The tests are administered at a police station after a driver fails a roadside test. Police would be allowed to collect saliva, urine and blood samples to determine whether the driver has drugs, including marijuana, in his or her system. Refusal to comply would be a criminal offence.

"Ultimately, these provisions are about saving lives," Justice Minister Irwin Cotler said after tabling the bill in the House of Commons.

More at the Globe and Mail

[sniffa]

1. smoke a joint Last weekend

get puLLed over today. i see no probLem with this. :eyes:

[Canuckistanian]

2. Official Marijuana Intoxication Drug Test

1. Ask driver if they'd like some pizza. Note response.
2. Ask driver if they've ever looked at their own hand. I mean REALLY looked at their own hand. Note response.
3. Ask driver if they've ever considered that the Universe is really just a part of a bigger universe trapped in the dirt under someone else's fingernail. Note response.
4. Ask driver how fast they thought they were going when pulled over.
If response is 30kM/hr faster than actual speed, arrest driver.

[mulethree]

3. so what if you pass the tests?

Some people are just naturally impaired, careless, or just plain bad drivers. They drive sleepy or on the phone or tey to read a map and drive at the same time. They get to go on their way because they're not stoned?
What if they're on nyquil or some other "legal"drug?

I think drug testing is bad in general. If someone is exercising bad judgement or performing badly then take their license or fire them or whatever. If you want to drug test them fine, but don't let the incompetent off the hook just because they're not stoned.

[walmartsucks]

4. This is like a bad dream

I thought this type of thing only happened in America!!!