Slipping Through the Cracks: Why Can't We Stop Drugged Driving?

40 Pages Posted: 13 Dec 2011 Last revised: 19 Dec 2011

See all articles by Tina Cafaro

Tina Cafaro

Western New England University School of Law

Date Written: May 10, 2010

Abstract

Part I of this Article briefly explains the history of impaired driving laws, with respect to both alcohol and drugs. It then sets forth the various frameworks currently in place to establish that an individual is OUI drugs and evaluates the effectiveness of each standard. Part II discusses the impediments to detecting and prosecuting OUI drug cases. This section details the difficulties associated with the science behind drugged driving, including determining the effect a drug may have on an individual as well as the validity of tests used to determine if one has a drug in their system. Part II highlights the issues pertaining to laws that regulate OUI licit (prescription or over-the-counter) drugs. This section also discusses the impact that lack of funding and inadequate training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors has on combating this crime. Finally, Part III recognizes that targeting drugged driving is more complicated than fighting OUI alcohol and suggests what is needed to combat this problem.

Keywords: OUI drugs, operating under the influence of drugs, OUI, drug impaired driving, motor vehicles

Suggested Citation

Cafaro, Tina, Slipping Through the Cracks: Why Can't We Stop Drugged Driving? (May 10, 2010). Western New England Law Review, Vol. 32, p. 33, 2010, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1971391

Tina Cafaro (Contact Author)

Western New England University School of Law ( email )

1215 Wilbraham Road
Springfield, MA 01119
United States

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