Clark County Sheriff's Office: Don't drive drunk - or stoned
CLARK COUNTY, Wash. - The upcoming holiday season has law enforcement officials issuing annual reminders for drivers to stay sober behind the wheel.
But in Washington, there's a new wrinkle to the warning this year: don't drive stoned, either.
Washington voters approved the legalization of marijuana in the most recent election. Marijuana becomes legal for use by adults over 21 years old on Dec. 6. How legalization will square with federal laws where it remains illegal is still at issue.
- What's allowed? Read the SPD 'Marijwhatnow?' guide to the new law
In a press release titled "Impaired Driving Either By Alcohol Or Drugs Is Illegal," the Clark County Sheriff's Office said they will be adding extra patrols from Nov. 21 to Jan. 1 to look for drivers under the influence.
"We are encouraging everyone to do their part this holiday season to prevent a drunk driver from getting behind the wheel. Call a cab. Call a friend. Take their keys," the release read.
While roadside sobriety tests and breathalyzer results are common to test suspected drunk drivers, the sheriff's office did not detail in their press release how they would determine if someone is too impaired to drive by marijuana or some other substance other than alcohol.
Marion Swendsen with Clark County Target Zero Traffic Safety said specially-trained officers, known as Drug Recognition Experts, or DRE officers, can be called to to the scene to make a determination if someone is under the influence of something other than alcohol.
"A DRE evaluation can show that the person is impaired even if they don't have any alcohol on board," Swendsen said. "A blood draw is the only way to show the amount of THC that someone has on board, but a DRE evaluation can be used in court for a DUI charge even if the person refuses the blood draw."
Additionally, Swendsen said if a person shows impairment but no use of alcohol, then "then implied consent for blood kicks in and a person is required to submit to a blood test or lose their license for a refusal, which can be used in court against them."
Swendsen said that officers give all drivers suspected of being under the influence of any substance a run through field sobriety tests first.
She said the Clark County Sheriff's Office had about 10 DRE officers and the Washington State Patrol also employed a number of troopers with similar training.
Driving is a privilage and not a right and an impaired driver is a potential murderer driving a 3,000 pound or more bullet. Even if it is prescribed medications such as hydrocodone, they are a dangerous risk even more so because they believe they have everything under control..... Also operating any kind of technology other than the actual car is an impairment! It is next to impossible to truly multi-task and by this I mean type/text and drive. You can switch focus extremely fast to the point where you think you are doing both at once but your central focus is on only one task. So, please drive sober and attentive! It would be nice to see a Thanksgiving go by with no DUI caused wrecks!
They need a "Don't drive stupid" reminder every day.
Uh....dude.....where's my car?
Can't wait to see how this state law plays out with the feds. Will the federal government respond as it did to the death with dignity act and other laws enacted by a states?Â
 @33 It looks like the feds are going to cave on this after my last read. Oh boy, Clark County calls it like it really is not.  An annual reminder is all it is since CCSO cannot even write speeding tickets since they did away with the Traffic Team. Having worked there in the early days and bailing to a different state, it has been hard to see the department go downhill under Lucas...
This is a little bit overblown - marijuana doesn't impair motor skills to nearly the degree that alcohol does.  It's not a CNS depressant.
@UtterReality Your statement denies your avatar - you exist in a fantasy world if you believe that MJ doesn't impair motor skills!! It most certainly does! And I will not drive in the state of Washington unless I have to, and it will be an important "have to" to risk my neck!
To Clark County Sheriffs:Â Understand the laws you enforce, when making discretionary decisions use sound judgment, serve and protect and don't abuse your appointed authority.
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Thank you for reminding me not to drive impaired.  Â
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Visine.
 @katufanman Murine!
 @Gravity Works!  @katufanman Poutine !
 @Lips  @HarryJuku  @Jamie  @Gravity Works!  @katufanman A bunch of Skoal chewing tobacco...
 @HarryJuku  @Jamie  @Gravity Works!  @katufanman Jimmy Dean.. uh, never mind.
How about just "Don't Drive Impaired". Â I don't doubt that people are so stupid that you have to define the specific types of impairment though. Â I'd guess that in Vancouver, "Don't Drive Tweaked" would reach a more appropriate demographic.
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@negativerep wishful thinking? Reports of idiots are a regular staple of the media.
Happy Holidaze everybody
Ah the parasitic police state is planning on making more money with a new scheme...
While I do not advocate the use of mj while driving, I have found it to be very effective at combating the onset of road rage.
This is not a change. This has been the law for years.
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As an aside, from observing what police officers, judges and attorneys do when pulled over for DUI, refuse field sobriety tests, breathalyzers and blood draws. Any of those violate your Fifth Amendment rights:
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"nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself". While I do not drive drunk or stoned, I refuse to allow my blood, breath or behaviour testing to be used against me.
 @scared_citizen You might read up on the term 'implied concent', and specifically how it applies to your license to drive.Â
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Or, as would be the more rational and responsible approach, you could just not get yourself into the situation (as you pointed out), and just not drive impaired.
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Yes, you can refuse to participate in field sobriety tests, breathalyzers and blood draws. The end result will be a suspension of your drivers license. Then, you can pay for the attorneys to fight to get it back, and by the time you end up losing (most probable) or winning (unlikely) the case, you will no longer be able to afford to drive.Â
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But, hoo-rah, soldier. On to those windmills, Mr Quixote!
 @scared_citizen Pretty sure you sign away those rights when you agree to the terms of becoming a licensed driver. I could be wrong though.
 @scared_citizen Well, all righty, then!  Refusing any of those is (if I remember correctly) an automatic fail, and can only be overturned in a court of law.  Very expensive, since you'd have to provide your own attorney(s).  Good for you that you never drive impaired -- neither do I --, but if by chance you ever *are* pulled over for suspected impaired driving, take the field tests.  Why wouldn't you, if, as you assert, you never drive impaired.  Right?
@Gravity Works!  SInce i never drive impaired, there should be no need to do those things but this is what COPS and JUDGES do because it WORKS to get them off. Your license may be suspended for a short time while the DMV does its work but you can get off on the DUI charge.
Woo-Hoo, Happy Holidays, everyone! I'd like to thank my designated drivers in advance. Drive sober, guys and gals.
 @Lips . . . and always watch the other guy!
I like to partake of my Guiness at home so I don't have to deal with: drunk drivers, ( them or me) deal with crowds, (real or imagined) or deal with crap weather. I always buy a case early so I don't have to deal with the crowds, but I always drink it before the holiday so end up going out in the crowds and buying more.
 @iamtroglodite But, does Cuba import their cigars from you? And, do mosquitoes refuse to bite you purely out of respect? lol.
 @Gravity Works! Excellent advice.