DRUG TESTING DRIVERS Tomblin Proposes Expanded Drug Testing On Roads
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Heath Harrison
Reported: Feb. 16, 2013 3:04 PM EST
Updated: Feb. 16, 2013 8:43 PM EST
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Charleston
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin is proposing to clarify state law to make it clear that police officers can test drivers for drugs just as they can test them for alcohol.
State Director of Highway Safety Bob Tipton said the state police also will begin specially training some officers in drug recognition to examine drivers who appear impaired but have passed a breath test for alcohol. If the officer determines the driver is impaired, they could proceed to further blood and urine testing.
In practice, drug testing is much more difficult than alcohol testing. Officers can use breath tests to test for alcohol, but drug testing requires more intrusive procedures, like blood or urine tests.
Tomblin first announced the legislation at his State of the State address on Wednesday.
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