Drunk Driving vs High Driving

Drunk Driving vs High Driving

Drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs is a crime, but what defines a DUI (Driving under the influence) or DWI (Driving while intoxicated)? The following infographic explains what is considered illegal in both Canada and the USA, and what are the differences.

While major policies are being discussed, Canada can look at how states such as Alaska, Colorado, Washington, Washington DC, and Oregon are implementing their existing laws and regulations on impaired driving. Can Canadian and US driving laws serve as a Canada’s marijuana manual on creating laws for drug-impaired driving? If the information and trends in the above infographic are anything to go by, we can very well see Canada constructing a similar legal framework in the near future.

Measuring alcohol levels and drug usage

In Canada and the US, drivers are first asked to take a breathalyzer test, which can determine level of alcohol in a person’s system. In the US, by passing the breathalyzer test, the driver is also asked to place an absorbent swab in their mouth and chew on it or touch it on their tongue. In some states (Colorado, California etc.) if an officer pulls over a driver suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana, the driver would be asked to take a sobriety test (“horizontal gaze nystagmus test”, “walk and turn test”, “one-leg stand”). The officer orders the driver to provide a blood, breath, or urine test. Also, police officers are using saliva drug test which can detect THC, meth, methadone, cocaine, and several other prescription medications. Meanwhile in Canada, Police are currently testing roadside oral fluid drug screening devices. If suspected, drivers are asked to undergo a Standardized Field Sobriety Test (SFST).

Read full article at OMQlaw.ca