NM PROPOSES TO CRACK DOWN ON DRUGGED DRIVING

Gov. Bill Richardson and activists against drunken driving have
another target: motorists who drive while under the influence of
illegal drugs, including marijuana.

A legislative proposal backed by Richardson would crack down on
"drugged driving" by establishing blood concentration levels for five
illegal drugs: marijuana, cocaine, heroin, amphetamine and
methamphetamine. The limits would establish a legal presumption that
a driver was under the influence of a drug.

More than a dozen states have "per se" laws against drugged driving.

The proposed drug limits serve the same purpose as the blood-alcohol
concentration standards New Mexico and many other states have for
drunken driving. In New Mexico, it's illegal to operate a motor
vehicle with a blood-alcohol level at or above 0.08 percent.

Rep. William Rehm, R-Albuquerque, said some drivers mix drugs and alcohol.

"It stands to reason if you are going out to party, you're going to
go out and party," Rehm, a retired law enforcement officer, said
Wednesday. However, it can be difficult currently to prosecute
drivers who mix drugs and alcohol if their blood-alcohol level falls
below the 0.08 percent threshold.

In 2007, drugs were detected in about 90 percent of the suspected
impaired drivers who were given blood tests after they failed field
sobriety tests but had blood-alcohol levels below 0.08 percent. There
were more than 2,000 of those cases, said Rachel O'Connor, the
state's DWI czar.

Rehm is sponsoring the drugged driving legislation (HB306), which is
pending before a House committee. The penalties for drugged driving
would be the same as those for drunken driving, except there would be
no requirement for an ignition interlock device, which prevents
drivers from starting their vehicles if they've been drinking.

The drugged-driving bill is part of a wide range of legislation
advocated by Richardson, legislators and Attorney General Gary King
to continue New Mexico's fight against traffic deaths involving
motorists under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

"We've had a policy on DWI. It's called the kitchen sink - throw the
kitchen sink at the problem," Richardson said at a news conference
with King, Rehm and other legislators during DWI Awareness Day at the Capitol.