NEW LAW TARGETS DRUG-USING DRIVERS

A new law aimed at getting drug-using drivers off the road is
expected to make it easier for police to nab impaired drivers in Medicine Hat.

Legislation takes effect today which enables police to administer
roadside sobriety testing on people they believe to be under the
influence of drugs. The tests will be conducted on the spot to
measure motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Failing the roadside
test will be grounds for police to transport suspected drug-users to
hospital to obtain bodily-fluid samples. Those samples will be tested
for the presence of drugs and the results will be presented as
evidence in court.

While police have had the right to ask suspected drugging drivers for
bodily-fluid samples for some time, they have also been obliged to
inform suspects that providing the samples is voluntary, not
mandatory. That legal technicality usually results in a "No, thanks,"
from suspects.

Staff Sgt. Joe West of the Medicine Hat Police Service said city
officers aren't yet fully trained in the new procedures.

"We're in the process of consulting with the Crown so we haven't
started any training with regard to that. It's still in the
preliminary stages," said West.

Sylvia Takacs of Mothers Against Drunk Driving said even though it
may take a little while longer before the new law reaps rewards, it's
welcome news.

"It has been a long time coming," said Takacs.

She noted that until now, the hands of police have been tied by
voluntary testing rules. Allowing them to secure hard evidence will
lead to convictions and convictions will reduce the hazard on the
road. "Testing people for drug-impairedness is going to make our
roads even safer. Blood tests and urine tests don't lie, they're
pretty accurate," said Takacs.

A motorist convicted of drug-impaired driving will face a minimum
$1,000 fine for a first offence. A second conviction could result in
a month in jail.