Delaware
September 17, 2007
Police kept busy by DUI arrests
Read the story from The News Journal
Impaired drivers kept authorities busy over the weekend, police said today.
In addition to a checkpoint for drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs, police arrested one impaired driver who endangered a child in his car and got warrants issued charging another — hurt in a crash he caused — with violations including fourth-offense DUI, Delaware State Police spokesman Cpl. Jeff Whitmarsh said
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District of Columbia
August 25, 2008
Arkansas Implements CDL Database
Read the news from MarketWatch
The new online system is available through the state's official Web site ( http://www.Arkansas.gov) and provides access to a central repository of alcohol and drug test results for commercial drivers that can be accessed in real-time by employers.
Since the launch of this first-of-its-kind service in January 2008, 263 positive test results have been reported to the database and more than 5,100 commercial driver records have been searched. Of these searches, 45 generated a positive match and kept a potentially unsafe commercial vehicle driver off the state's roads.
August 25, 2008
Congress Aims to Thwart Drug Test Cheats
Read this report from American Medical News
"Drug testing defrauding products are a dilemma not only for criminal justice and employment screening purposes, but they also compound a larger public health issue, such as drugged driving, which is a primary concern for anti-drug coalitions throughout the country," said Arthur T. Dean, chair of the nonprofit Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
July 30, 2008
GAO Finds Truckers Getting Hired High
Read all about it from the AP
Tractor-trailer and bus drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs have flouted federal regulations by returning to work without the required treatment, in some cases transporting hazardous materials for many months, congressional investigators say.
May 27, 2008
Marijuana Dispensaries Linked to Fatal Car Crash
Read the full story from the DEA
Officer Pedeferri was speaking to driver Andreas Parra at the driver’s side window of Parra’s car when a pick-up truck drifted onto the shoulder and struck Parra’s vehicle. Parra was killed, and Pedeferri was gravely injured. He remains paralyzed.
The pick-up truck was driven by Jeremy White, who is currently being prosecuted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office for gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated. The investigation revealed a large amount of marijuana and marijuana edibles in White’s vehicle
May 22, 2008
Drugged Truckers Drive On After Failed Drug Tests, GAO Finds
Read all about it in Today's Trucking
Some truckers who flunk mandatory drug tests in the U.S. have slipped through the screening process and may still be driving commercial trucks, a new government investigation has found.
February 4, 2008
Massachusetts Supreme Court Allows Case Against Doctor in Drugged Driving Lawsuit to Proceed
Read the story from the American Medical News
The Dec. 10, 2007, decision allows a mother to sue a doctor who prescribed numerous medications to a patient who hit her son in a car crash. The boy later died. The case heads to trial in a lower court, where a hearing has not yet been scheduled.
NORML, Pot Activists, Denounce Cannabis Driving
Read the release from NORML
By contrast, motorists should never be encouraged to operate a vehicle while smoking cannabis. Drivers should also be advised that engaging in the simultaneous use of both cannabis and alcohol can significantly increase their risk of accident compared to the consumption of either substance alone.
December 1, 2007
White House issues Proclamation on National Drunk and Drugged Driving Month
Read the Press Release from the White House
"Accidents related to drunk and drugged driving claim the lives of thousands of Americans every year. During National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month we seek to raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and encourage citizens to drive responsibly."
October 29, 2007
Latest Study shows Drugged Drivers to be a serious problem in US
Read the press release from NIH and NIDA
Large numbers of American adolescents are putting themselves and others at great risk by driving while under the influence of illicit drugs or alcohol, according to a study funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). In 2006, 30 percent of high school seniors reported driving after drinking heavily or using drugs, or riding in a car whose driver had been drinking heavily or using drugs, at least once in the prior two weeks.
October 19, 2007
Experts recommend tough DUID laws
Read the report from the Drug War Chronicle
An international working group of 11 researchers from six countries will recommend that Driving Under the Influence of Drugs (DUID) laws aimed at marijuana users adopt a limit of a set amount of THC in the bloodstream instead of relying on a zero tolerance approach that criminalizes anyone who has any THC or metabolites in his bodily fluids. Zero tolerance DUID laws are in effect in several countries and several US states.
June 17, 2007
The Drugged Driving Epidemic
Read the full article from The Washington Post
More than three dozen men, women and children were hurt in Southeast Washington this month by a driver police say was high on crack. Two days later, another allegedly drug-addicted driver crashed into a crowd of students at a bus stop in La Plata, injuring four.
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Indiana
March 17, 2008
DUI/ Drug Court Finds New Funding, Expands Reach
Read this story in the Courier Press
First, the program received a grant of $17,741 from the U.S. Department of Justice. Second, an ordinance passed by the County Commissioners adds a $5 fee on all misdemeanor and felony cases filed in the county with the proceeds earmarked for the court.
February 15, 2008
Head-On Collision Results from Driver's Meth, Marijuana Intake
Read this story in the Courier Press
A head-on crash in Gibson County, Ind., has resulted in the arrest of an Evansville couple for driving under the influence of marijuana and methamphetamine.
September 26, 2007
Student Drivers eligible for drug-testing at Corydon Central and South Central high schools
Read the story in The Corydon Democrat
Students who take part in extracurricular or co-curricular activities such as band, athletics or even driving to school were eligible to be randomly selected for the test. In order to take part in their activities, students were required to sign a consent form. Any student who refused to submit to urine drug testing after signing the form would not be allowed to practice or participate in their designated activities.
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Maryland
March 28, 2008
State Police Conduct Saturation Patrols on Lookout for Drugged Drivers
Read about this in the Public Opinion Online
The Maryland State Police at the Hagerstown Barrack will be conducting a sobriety checkpoint today (Friday) in Washington County, Md. In addition to the checkpoint, additional Troopers will be assigned saturation patrol in the area of the checkpoint an effort to identify and apprehend drugged/drunk drivers.
December 18, 2007
Junkie at the Wheel, arrested for Sleeping in Running Car
Read this piece in the Carroll County Times
A deputy found Sasnett’s car stopped in the intersection with its engine running, windows down and headlights on, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. After Sasnett was taken into custody, deputies found a small bag and two small vials of heroin and a syringe in his possession, according to the release.
November 13, 2007
Drugged Driver claims motorcyclist's Life, wife in Critical Condition
Read this story from Southern Maryland Online
A Bowie man is dead and his wife is in the hospital in critical condition following a motorcycle accident on Sunday in Dunkirk. Police have concluded that the driver of the second, at-fault vehicle was under the influence of narcotics at the time of the crash.
October 23, 2007
Impaired Driver veers off road, charged with DUI
Read this story in the Frederick News
Two Mount Airy residents face drug and DUI charges after one drove his car off the road Saturday evening, the Frederick County Sheriff's Office reported today.
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Michigan
August 13, 2008
Drunk/Drugged Driver Crashes, Killing Daughter
Read this story from the Tri-County Times
Leyton said Arthurs was driving a Jeep Cherokee SUV on Fenton Road, near McCall Road in Mundy Township, when her vehicle went off the road and struck a telephone pole. A witness to the crash called 911 and police and ambulance personnel arrived on the scene. The SUV was up against a telephone pole and a young female appeared unconscious and trapped in the front passenger side of the vehicle. Investigative reports indicate that Arthurs had been drinking and using drugs earlier in the evening and was impaired from both alcohol and drugs at the time of the crash.
July 10, 2008
Study Finds Fewer Incidents of Drugged and Drugged Driving
Read the report from the Detroit Free Press
The number of people killed statewide in crashes involving drugs, alcohol or a combination of the two reached a 10-year low last year, according to a new count released today.
May 12, 2008
Toxicology Tests Come Back Positive After Fatal Accident
Read the full article from MLive
A former Hesperia man has pleaded no contest to drugged driving causing death for a Sept. 24 accident in Newaygo County that killed a motorcyclist.
May 2, 2008
Drugged Driver Sentenced to 15 Years for Killing Man
Read this report from MLive
Bremer died when his vehicle was struck broadside at Myers Lake Avenue NE and Belding Road. Bremer's car had the green light at the intersection when Idalski ran the red light, striking Bremer's vehicle in the passenger side.
March 25, 2008
Ferrysburg Councilman, Doper, Pulled Over, Over the Limit
Read this story in the Grand Haven Tribune
Ferrysburg City Councilman Thomas Spoelman was arrested last week for drunken driving, having an open container of alcohol in his car and use of marijuana — according to a police report obtained Monday by the Tribune through a Freedom of Information Act request.
January 15, 2008
Cracked Out Driver Cracks Utility Pole in Half, Attempts to Flee
Read about it in the Observer
A 44-year-old Detroit woman wasn't going to let a collision with a utility pole slow her down Jan. 5. The woman, driving a black SUV, crashed into the pole on Edwards Street near Oakshire in Berkley about 3:13 p.m.
December 17, 2007
Having Killed a Construction Worker, Woman Lives on to Drive Drugged
Read this story from the Macomb Daily
Chesterfield Township police arrested her in June after officers saw her driving slowly while entering Interstate 94 at 21 Mile Road. She failed a sobriety test and was heavily medicated on Vicodin, a pain killer, according to police. She had a prescription for the drug, but investigators said she was medicated to the point where she could not drive her car.
November 27, 2007
Former Cop walks free after several drugged driving stops
Read this story in the Detroit Free-Press
The FBI said in court papers Monday that Woodhaven and Flat Rock cops looked the other way as Dewitt had six traffic stops within the past two months that appeared to involve alcohol or drugs.
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Ohio
April 9, 2008
Police Witnessing "Rash" of DUI Drugs Locally
Read the story from the Sandusky Register
Nowadays people are getting in trouble for driving after taking prescription medications.
“It just seems like we’ve had a rash of these in the last six months,” said Erie County Sheriff’s Capt. Paul Sigsworth. “More and more we’re dealing with people abusing prescription drugs in particular.”
April 2, 2008
Two Brothers Caught with Ample Heroin Paraphernalia Driving Erratically
Read the story in the Star Beacon
Jordan Rea, who was driving, didn’t have his driver’s license and denied having thrown anything out the car window, Palinkas said. The officer found a small white piece of paper on the ground, which turned out to be a receipt for syringes from a Madison drugstore, Palinkas said in his report.
March 25, 2008
Mom, Child in Car, Drives Drugged, Crashing
Read this story in the Cincinnati Enquirer
A Cleves woman is in jail today after Cincinnati police say she was under the influence of drugs when she got into a traffic accident while her 7-month-old son was in the car with her.
January 11, 2008
Cocaine Found in Dentist's Car After Impaired Driving Stop
Read this story from the Dayton Daily News
Heck — already convicted in Fairborn Municipal Court of drunken driving in the March 9, 2007, incident — pleaded guilty to the felony drug charge in a hearing Friday before Judge Timothy Campbell.
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Pennsylvania
September 1, 2008
DRE's See More Rx Drug Abusing Drivers
Read this article in Penn Live
"We are an increasingly medicated society," said state police Tpr. Joseph Harper, assigned to Troop H and one of 50 certified DRE officers statewide.
August 29, 2008
Couple Busted Driving High on Drugs
Read more from the Daily Record
While speaking to the passenger, the officer noticed a small clear plastic bag containing marijuana on the passenger seat, and a further search of the vehicle revealed a vial of cocaine and a hypodermic needle with heroin residue still inside, police said.
July 28, 2008
Philadelphia Teen Kills Motorcyclist on Drugs
Read this piece in the Press of Atlantic City
A Philadelphia teenager faces new drug charges after a fatal accident killed a Middle Township High School graduate.
June 9, 2008
Woman Convicted For Drugged Driving Deaths of Woman, Granddaughter
Read this piece in the Altoona Mirror
A Patton woman was convicted Wednesday on all charges stemming from a 2007 crash that claimed a Mahaffey woman and her granddaughter. Clearfield County jurors took only an hour and a half to reach the verdict, ensuring that Bobbi Jo Morgan, 23, will spend years in prison for what they determined was a reckless, drug-related crash.
May 9, 2008
Driving Under the Influence of Drugs on the Rise
Read this article in the Standard Speaker
It’s not only alcohol that’s killing people on the roads anymore, though; illegal and prescription drugs also can impair drivers. The state police have responded by expanding its drug recognition expert program; since 2004, it has trained 36 troopers and local police officers to identify those driving under the influence of drugs.
March 30, 2008
"Duster" Arrested Twice in One Night For Driving Under the Influence of Compressed Air
Read this story in the Evening Sun
Runk was arrested again for DUI of controlled substance, as well as hit-and-run. He was released again to his grandmother's custody later that night, police said.
March 9, 2008
UPS Driver Crushes Motorcyclist; Company Faces Enormous Liability for Marijuana in Driver's System
Read this story in the Altoona Mirror
Liability should not be an issue, based on eyewitness accounts, police records and Plunket’s being found technically guilty of driving under the influence of marijuana and making an improper turn, Hannon said. He has hired an accident reconstructionist and took depositions from witnesses and UPS managers.
February 28, 2008
Pittsburgh Beefs Up Drug Recognition Expert Force to Crack Down on Drugged Drivers
Read the news in the Tribune-Review
State police hope to remove impaired drivers from Pennsylvania roads with training that helps officers identify drug users pulled over during traffic stops.
The drug-recognition expert program has grown from eight trained officers and 53 drug evaluations in 2005 to 36 officers and 440 evaluations last year.
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Virginia
December 23, 2007
Virginia Closing in on 1,000 Traffic Fatalities this year
Watch this piece in the Roanoake News
Virginia is about to hit a milestone that's really nothing to brag about. This year, nearly 1,000 people have been killed on our roads.
As of Friday, 988 people have died from traffic accidents in the Commonwealth. That's more than all of last year. The last time we saw more than 1,000 fatal accidents in Virginia was in 1990.
November 17, 2007
Virginia Police prepare for the holidays
Read the article in the Winchester Star
With the holiday season quickly approaching, local law enforcement officials are hoping December will be a safe month on the road.
The Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, Winchester Police Department, Virginia State Police, the Winchester Sheriff’s Office, and the Stephens City Police Department and Middletown Police Department have initiated their drunk and drugged driving awareness campaign.
November 16, 2007
Drugged Driver ends up crashing into body of water, charged with DUID
Read the brief account in the Daily Press
The driver who was rescued on Wednesday after driving his car into a body of water has been charged by Virginia Beach police with driving under the influence of drugs.
November 2, 2007
Technicality leads to DUI drugs conviction being overturned
Read the story from NewsAdvance.com
After being found guilty under such circumstances under the state’s DUI drug law in Lynchburg General District Court, circuit court and by the Court of Appeals of Virginia, Ardmore Drive resident John Allen Jackson’s conviction was thrown out and his case dismissed by the Supreme Court.
October 7, 2007
Repeat DUI Drugs offender finally Kills young man
Read the full account in The Roanoke Times
In the darkness of the early morning hours of Sept. 7, a violent wreck on a Christiansburg street left recent Virginia Tech graduate Greg Jackson dead and another man facing the latest in a long string of driving-related charges.
Tony Adams of Floyd County -- a former car salesman convicted in three states since 1997 of at least 22 driving-related offenses -- is now charged with leaving the scene of the fatal crash at North Franklin and Cambria streets in a vehicle police think he stole earlier that morning.
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West Virginia
June10, 2008
Crossing Median, Driver on Drugs Kills Woman
Watch the story from WBOY TV
Dennis Jefferson Harlow was on drugs when he caused the death of a Doddridge County woman.
June 3, 2008
Drugged Driver Kills Pedestrian
Watch this news segment from WSAZ 3
- Logan County Sheriff's Deputies say a driver under the influence of drugs hit and killed a pedestrian Monday night in Godby Heights.
April 15, 2008
Cabell County School Board Instates Random Student Drug Testing Policy for Driving Students
Readall about it in the Herald Dispatch
Students who drive to school and apply for parking passes will likely have to agree to its terms within the first week of the 2008-09 school year to receive their pass. The tests, which will be urine tests, will check for an array of illegal drugs, and some students within the pool may be randomly checked for performance-enhancing drugs as well.
January 28, 2008
"Not Enough Evidence" to Convict Driver Who Abused Xanax in Fatal Accident
Read this story in the Charleston Gazette
About a year after Kanawha County paramedic Tennille Davis died in a car accident in Boone County, prosecutors say they do not have enough evidence to charge the woman involved in the wreck that took Davis' life.
Deborah Baber, 27, was recently charged with failing to stay on the right-hand side of the road and driving on a suspended license, said Parker Bazzle, an assistant prosecutor in Boone County. Both are misdemeanors.
October 5, 2007
Legislators urged to make efforts against Drugged Driving
Learn more in The Register Herald
Motorists weaving down a highway with too many drinks under their belts pose a serious problem for sober drivers, police and West Virginia lawmakers.
Yet, there’s another societal problem Mark Neil raised in a Monday meeting of a legislative panel dealing with drunken drivers — drug abuse while operating a motor vehicle
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