Most people who drive for a living are familiar with random drug testing.  And many companies also do random drug tests. Which their employees are aware will be done (it is in the new hire paperwork and orientation). Same thing as my company’s policy on smoking while on the property. Or weapons free zones (which again are reviewed with staff during compliance training). Now the Michigan State Police will be doing random drug tests if the officer doing a traffic stop suspects the person is on drugs. MLive reported this:

A new law instructs the state police to pick five counties where it will run a one-year pilot program for saliva-based testing to check drivers for drugs like marijuana, heroin and cocaine.

And how will this happen? The law was explained by MLive here:

Senate Bills 207 and 434, sponsored by state Sens. Rick Jones and Tom Casperson, respectively, create a one-year pilot program that will allow law enforcement officers trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) to administer a saliva test to drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs like heroin, marijuana and cocaine.

This was the impact from one driver on drugs.  The cost in money and lives is simply too high to not do something. There is no doubt that impaired driving is dangerous to the driver and everyone around them. And the municipal you can have marijuana on your person laws are not helping anyone. Some consider this a civil liberty issue. I disagree and would say this is appropriate for the police to test for drugs.

I would hope that these tests are followed up with a blood test in the jail and that the penalties for driving under the influence apply. The question of “But I can have the weed” is easy to answer: state law says the following

Because everyone’s metabolism is different, it’s difficult to predict the effect of drugs and medications. Those substances can be as dangerous as alcohol when mixed with driving.

Illegal or “street” drugs are sold without a prescription, and are particularly dangerous. Users do not always know the contents, purity, or possible effects of these drugs.

Prescription and non-prescription medications may also contain things that can have an adverse effect on your ability to drive safely. Some drugs such as antihistamines, which are found in many cold and allergy preparations, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and pain relievers may cause drowsiness. Diet pills, “stay awake” drugs, and other medications with stimulants, such as caffeine, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine, may cause excitability or drowsiness. The effects may also vary depending on the combination of drugs. Know the contents and possible side effects of any drugs you take, and be sure it is safe to drive when you use them. For more information, consult your physician or pharmacist.

In other words, be an adult and know what you are taking, when it is safe to drive and that there are consequences to your actions. And there are restrictions with the marijuana card. You will have the same outcome as the driver on Vicodin or Benadryl.

I am curious to see how these random drug tests will work. And hope this deters people from driving while high.