Drugged drivers a growing concern for police
Posted Nov 16, 2011 7:54 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The number of drivers who are pulled over and impaired by something other than booze is on the rise.
Cst. Andrew Fairman, who is a drug recognition expert, tells 660News so far this year, they have charged eight drivers for being drug-impaired with charges pending against eight others depending on the outcome of toxicology reports.
Fairman says a drug-impaired driver is just as dangerous as drunk driver, and that’s why drug recognition experts work at each and every Checkstop.
He also says not only do street drugs like marijuana and cocaine cause impairment behind the wheel, but so do prescription drugs, especially if they are mixed with alcohol.
Calgary police currently have 13 drug recognition experts on the force with another eight officers to be trained in the coming months.
Statistics from 2010 indicate the bulk of drug-impaired drivers are caught motoring around during the day.
