So far no spot test is available for police to use to identify drivers under the influence of drugs–like the portable breathalyzer used to identify drivers under the influence of alcohol, but that doesn’t mean the police have no way of knowing if you’ve just smoked marijuana or taken prescription medication before sliding behind the wheel.
In fact, the new Drug Recognition Enforcement program in use in Georgia police departments has repeatedly demonstrated that subtle body language provides all the evidence an officer needs to know whether or not a driver might be under the influence of drugs. This is enough for them to make an arrest and request the driver provide a blood sample which will provide conclusive proof as to whether or not the driver is under the influence of drugs.
Police don’t need to know for certain you are under the influence of drugs or even alcohol to make an arrest. All they need is a reason to b suspicious–and you will be arrested on “suspicion of driving under the influence.” Once they make an arrest you can be obligated, by court order if necessary, to provide a blood sample which will give the court all the definitive evidence it needs to make any charges against you stick. once charged with driving under the influence you face points on your license, fines, fees and the possible suspension or even revocation of your driving privileges.
More to the point, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol slows you reflexes and impairs your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. This means you are much more likely to be involved in a serious or even fatal vehicle collision. Compared to being arrested, being killed in a car crash seems much, much worse. But why bother with either of those choices when you could just choose to driver clean and sober?
Makes sense to us.
