Members of the OPP will be ready to recognize drug impaired drivers when pot becomes legal.
The Leeds OPP says it’s reminding drivers that some officers in the area are training to do drug recognition.
The OPP says that when an officer thinks someone could be impaired by drugs or alcohol, a trained officer can do a Standardized Field Sobriety Test. A Drug Recognition Evaluator officer can also conduct a series of tests to see if more tests are warranted. These tests can show if someone is impaired by other things than just alcohol, such as prescription on non-prescription drugs.
The OPP says the Criminal Code of Canada gives a drug recognition evaluator certain powers. Based on the tests, if the officer believes the subject is impaired, that could result in an impaired driver charge. The charge is the same whether it’s drug or alcohol impairment. It includes a driver’s license suspension and the driver’s vehicle being impounded.
The OPP remind people that driving while impaired endangers both themselves and other people on the road.