Don't get caught driving high

[BuffNaked]

Crack down on driving impaired

OTTAWA -- The Conservative government is beefing up penalties for drunk drivers who kill or maim and cracking down on motorists who smoke weed before getting behind the wheel.

Critics said the proposed blood or urine tests that will be used to nab drug-impaired drivers are too intrusive and won't pass constitutional muster, but Justice Minister Vic Toews insisted it's a "minimal intrusion" that's justified under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Similar measures have been in place for years in other jurisdictions like the U.S., he said.

NO STANDARD

"We are very pleased to be bringing this kind of tool forward for the police to use in our jurisdiction," he said.

But NDP MP Joe Comartin said there is no standardized measure for impairment for marijuana or other drugs -- and that will make it difficult for any charge to win a conviction in court.

Liberal Leader Bill Graham agrees with the "thrust" of the bill, but wants to give it careful study to determine if it would withstand a charter challenge.

The Conservative bill outlines a series of measures to determine drug impairment, including a roadside test by police officer followed by an examination at the police station by an officer specially trained to recognize signs of drug use. The final step is a followed by a demand for a blood or urine sample.

LIFE IN PRISON

The bill also increases the sentence to life in prison for alcohol-impaired driving causing death, and to 10 years for causing bodily harm.

The fine for a first offence of simple impaired driving would increase to $1,000 from $600, and jail terms for second and third offences would increase to 30 and 120 days from the previous 14 and 90.

MADD Canada CEO Andrew Murie applauded the measures and said Canada lags far behind other countries in tackling impaired driving.

Drug-impaired drivers are now responsible for about 10% of all fatal road crashes, and he believes new laws will act as a deterrent.

A couple of things I like to comment on:

First, if you happen to have red eyes because of allergies and you are tired and you get hauled off to the police station to give a urine test but smoked the night before, are you going to fail?

Second drug impaired causing 10% percent of crashes? What's causing the other 90%?

Third, I'm not looking forward to RIDE season when this is passed. It's already a gestapo program and now they going to have more reasons and tools to run you through.

Comments?

 

[Svend]

They can't measure the level of marijuana in your system like they can for alcohol. If you don't score zero, that means you're impaired?
It's far more intrusive to give a blood or urine sample as well.
This hasn't been thought through.

 

[Garrett]

I love the ride program (gestapo program? get real). I wish they had it active all the time. I am glad they are cracking down on the pot smokers. I bike a lot, and the number of drivers that go by and you can smell the pot is remarkable. Go up to a place like Keswick and I swear, half the people are stoned behind the wheel.

 

[frankcastle]

I think unless caught pretty much red handed it would be hard to prove that thc in ones system was the result of smoking close to or during the operation of the motor vehicle.

If the car or motorist stinks of pot. Or there's a roach/paraphenalia visible. Or the person was in an accident. Then it would be a different story. But pulling someone over and testing the I dunno.

I mean there are days where I'm running on a few hours sleep and probably sporting blood shot eyes and eyes half shut and I'm completely sober. Would that give the cop probable cause?

 

[pussylicker]

Comments?

Why do they call it a highway if you can't be high? Instead of wasting money on HOV lanes, they should label them abstinence lanes, and if you choose to drive impaired, you drive in the median, between the concrete dividers, where it's a free for all for everyone who's impaired.

This is a big joke, cause a few of Ontario's finest smoke up, as well as get loaded, and then report to work while still under the influence. Lets see them pass a urine test.

Like the beer ad, "water on the water, beer on the pier", the Gov't's new mantra should be drive on the highway, high on the driveway.

 

[Svend]

This is a big joke, cause a few of Ontario's finest smoke up, as well as get loaded, and then report to work while still under the influence. Lets see them pass a urine test.

Which agency do they work at?
Is there a review?

 

[pussylicker]

I think unless caught pretty much red handed it would be hard to prove that thc in ones system was the result of smoking close to or during the operation of the motor vehicle.

If the car or motorist stinks of pot. Or there's a roach/paraphenalia visible. Or the person was in an accident. Then it would be a different story.

I agree. I have picked up hitch hikers, but it doesn't mean I'm stoned because of the smell in the vehicle, or the drunk was bathing in rye. Also I've inhaled second hand smoke, and got a buzz, but I didn't smoke anything. I've had my eyes buzzing from toluene fumes, and probably had a buzz happening, but that was while I was legally employed. I didn't intentionally get stoned.

If there are ways to beat impaired charges, I'm sure they can beat drug impairment too. I saw two lawyers from Burlington total their car, and because neither was in the drivers seat when the OPP showed up, and one had to be extracated, they got off when it went to court. Couldn't prove who was driving, yet both were impaired.

 

[pussylicker]

Which agency do they work at?
Is there a review?

O.P.P.

 

[Oil Please]

There I was in The Dirty Shwa driving high as a kite(im excellent driver while baked) when right in front of me appeared a RIDE PROGRAM. They are pulling everyone over except for me , I got the wave through. Good thing because my car was still full of smoke.