Roadside drug testing gets green light in Kent, other counties

DIMONDALE, Mich. (WOOD) — While efforts to take drunken drivers off Michigan roads seems to be working, Michigan State Police say the number of fatal crashes involving another type of impaired driver continues to increase:

“People who make a decision to get behind the wheel high and endanger themselves and other people on the roadway,” explained Michigan State Police traffic safety specialist, 1st Lt. Jim Flegel.

The number of deaths caused by drugged drivers rose 32 percent from 2015 to 2016.

But identifying someone on drugs during a traffic stop can be more difficult than someone who’s been drinking. That’s the reason behind a one year pilot program starting Wednesday.

Michigan State Police and local law enforcement agencies from Kent, Berrien, Delta, St. Clair and Washtenaw counties will launch a new roadside test to identify drugged drivers.

Full story: WOOD TV


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