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Troopers put more emphasis on high drivers

Extra law enforcement will be on roads looking for impaired motorists

By Patty Hastings, Columbian Social Services, Demographics, Faith
Published: December 15, 2014, 4:00pm

“How much have you smoked tonight?”

“How long has it been since you used?”

“Do you have a legal amount of weed on you tonight?”

Since the legalization of marijuana, Washington State Patrol troopers are finding themselves asking these questions more often. Although they have always looked for signs of drug impairment as part of their road patrols, they’ve become more in tune with drivers who appear to be driving high.

The holiday season can bring an increased number of DUI arrests, said State Patrol Sgt. Grant Clark, because people are either using substances to celebrate or they’re particularly lonely this time of year. As a supervisor, he has to sign off on warrants for drug tests if someone refuses to voluntarily submit to a blood draw.

From now until the new year, extra law enforcement will be on the roadways in search of impaired drivers as part of the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The effort is supplemented by the slogan “Drive High, Get a DUI,” a campaign that launched shortly before marijuana retail stores opened.

Arresting someone on suspicion of driving under the influence starts with a driving violation, said Trooper Will Finn. Someone has to be speeding or weaving or otherwise driving erratically to get pulled over.

Alcohol and marijuana, which are both depressants, have similar signs of impairment. A driver who is drunk or high on marijuana may weave down the road and cross over dividing lines. A person driving on meth, a stimulant, will have much more erratic driving behaviors.

After a trooper pulls someone over, they walk up to the window — that’s when other senses can come into play.

“(Marijuana) is a very noticeable odor,” Finn said.

Other markers, such as drugs in view in the center console or eye pupil size, help troopers determine whether someone may be under the influence. A drug recognition expert, who has more detailed training than what all troopers receive at the academy, may be called to assist.

“We’re adapting as time goes on. We were doing it before, but it might not have been as pronounced,” Finn said.

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Columbian Social Services, Demographics, Faith