Michigan Weighs Roadside Drug Tests as Impaired Driving Deaths Mount

Michigan may see the return of roadside drug testing as state leaders look to combat drug-impaired driving.

Nearly 2,400 lives have been lost in the last decade due to impaired drivers, according to the National Alliance to Stop Impaired Driving (NASID).

Brian Swift, a NASID spokesperson who lost his parents to a drugged driver in 2013, advocates for swift action.

“We’re talking about people who’ve recently used and are impaired at that moment,” said Swift, explaining the proposed oral fluid tests.

These tests would follow traditional sobriety checks and breathalyzers, screening for substances like meth, cocaine, and THC.

Swift emphasizes the test targets recent usage. “If you took a gummy a few nights ago, that’s not what we’re testing for,” he noted.

However, Tom Holt, a criminal justice professor at Michigan State University, warns about potential false positives.

“Even over-the-counter meds, like cold medicine or ibuprofen, could trigger the tests,” Holt said, citing historical concerns about their reliability.

Holt believes transparency is key, urging the state to provide clear guidance on legal rights and responsibilities for those tested.

As Michigan grapples with how best to tackle impaired driving, the debate over the accuracy and fairness of roadside drug tests continues to grow.

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