Drivers in Michigan may soon be subject to roadside drug testing due to a new pilot program which the state will be testing out for twelve months starting later this year.
Co-sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson, the bill would allow specially trained Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) to administer cheek-swab drug tests to motorists who they believe might be under the influence of drugs. It is unclear if other law enforcement will also be allowed to administer drug tests once the pilot program is over.
According to the Michigan State Police, just how refusing a breathalyzer test practically amounts to almost an admission of guilt, refusal to submit to the drug test would be a “civil infraction.”
While the state police do not yet know which drug test will be used, they say that it could test for anywhere from six to twelve different drugs with just one test including amphetamines, methamphetamines, benzodiazepines, cannabis (marijuana), cocaine and opiates.
As the types of drugs tested for vary depending on the brand, so does the margin of error. To help offset any errors, during the pilot program, each sample will be tested by police and then also sent to an independent lab to undergo secondary testing. Again, it is not clear whether or not this double testing will continue after the pilot program is over.
Sen. Casperson, the co-sponsor of the bill calls the move “common sense legislation” that will “help make Michigan’s roads safer,” but others aren’t so sure.
Unlike alcohol which only remains in a person’s system for a short time after consumption, drug results can come back positive far after the effects have worn off. As such, they are generally considered not to be an accurate method of judging impairment.
“I don’t like the idea that based on bad science we’re going to require people to submit to these tests under penalty of sanctions,” said State Rep Jeff Irwin of Ann Arbor. “We don’t know what impairment means, and if people refuse, they’re going to get penalized.”
Under the pilot program, for the tests to be administered, the police officer must suspect the driver of impaired driving. They will not be allowed to make random traffic stops or traffic check points to administer the tests.
The pilot program is expected to start sometime later this year.
Source: overdrive, mlive, mlive, detroitnews, cbsdetroit
Jim Beam says
Ya know, call me naive..but I think most drivers are pretty damn responsible out here. Now I’m not sure what the stats are concerning this issue when it comes to traffic incidents and/or fatalities. I’ve been out here over 20 years and I don’t see drivers weaving or obviously impaired. What is sad to like was stated in the article, tests could reveal any drug use dating back quite some time..So no firing up with old friends over the holidays if you want to keep your under paid job driving a truck for a living I guess..What got up this Senators ass in the first place? Like I said tho..I don’t know the stats, so maybe I am way off ..I’m just going off what I see out here on the road..
Kent says
“They will not be allowed to make random traffic stops,” highly doubt this, soon u pull into their chicken coup and there will be a line for testing. When it comes to government intrusion they just don’t do it a little bit, they will go overboard and eventually it will become the norm…
Dan the man says
Then even if your proven sober they can add your DNA to a databank.
Bill says
And U have a problem with that why? I think it would help solve a lot of crimes by being able to access a data base of dna in order to identify people who have committed crimes (some of them extremely violent in nature). I’m not concerned about civil rights in this instance as I am in being against ELD’s
Bill says
Drivers, don’t fall for this crap! The government is attempting to establish a Nation Wide “Data Base” on all American’s DNA.
Joel Long says
I think they biggest majority of drivers can pass on any loads to Michigan. Every company promotes no forced dispatch….just say “I dont want to go to Michigan”. Maybe they can spend all their time swab testing the 4 wheeler operators.
Pedant says
Follow the money. There’s a lot of money to be made by those that sell the kits and the labs test the results.
Mike Stewart says
Once again….BOYCOTTS work! Refuse to pick up or deliver to MI. End of problem!
Ken says
True indeed STOP pick ups in Michigan end of story.
The eagle says
That’s it cut off Mi of my route ,unless the officer or person administer the test can provide a copy of his ,her certification and ID .MI is already in bad financial siruation they will use one needle 14,000 driver just to save money
Steve says
This will b in court very shortly. No doubt I’m my mind.
Tom says
Just one more reason, as if I needed another one, to not go to Michigan. I hate that da!& state.
Josh says
I live in Michigan, and having been in the military, my DNA is already on file somewhere, probably.
Since I don’t use drugs or plan to commit any crimes, I’m not too worried about it.
I have a nice roll of tin foil for you all to share, though.
Kris says
You miss the point, where does it end , what recourse do you have for a false positive and where’s your privacy. You don’t plan on doing drugs but what if and it does happen your shit gets mixed up, now your a criminal without due process. Glad you served to take our rights from us, I also served and I didn’t know I was doing for laws that aren’t equal and only if I agreed with them..way to show your narcissism.
TomM says
wal-mart has heavy duty tin foil on sale. :-p
WING says
yet you are willing to roll over on this, regardless if it is an illegal search??!
Mark says
Lmao if your not doing or done anything wrong wo w why would you be so nervous about being tested or them having DNA on record, or is it there is alot of crap that’s been done by truck drivers that could be solved with DNA. Wow paranoid people ..?
Groo says
I’d say commercial drivers have no leg to stand on when it comes to this testing since we are already subject to random drug testing. There was one company I was getting tested once a month on average.
It is the non-commercial drivers that should be up in arms. Pot-heads can be busted on Tuesday for a joint they smoked today.
Moving Forward says
It’s hard to believe they’ll even try it since the results are not accurate… but it might not be long before they do have a test which can accurately tell if a driver is impaired by dope/cannabis/marijuana.
Jerry says
I’m sorry to be the devils advocate on this one bit I say good! There is no place for drugs in big trucks. Drug users should find another career. They should however have a sticker for the windshield so drivers don’t get harassed by repeated tests too much. Personally I don’t mind a alcohol or drug test anytime anywhere. The thought of driving past drug users at 60 mph scares me.
WING says
Where is the Constitutional rights requirement for a warrant?
jack booted thugs waving the safety banner..a dirty six letter word.
Will they bust grandma and all the drugs
she is taking…? in public or not,where is the warrant….
skip probable cause…ask for a warrant!
Lawrence Draper says
Achtung babies, lineup, stick out you’re tongue. Dolph would be so proud.
Katie Johnson says
They say it is unconstitutional to drug test people who receive welfare but if you’re a hard-working truck driver it’s okay. This country is really going downhill fast
Barney says
You Americans are in a real big pickle anymore, it’s a shameful disgrace of a mess.
Dolph ( who you once fought ) truly would be proud
Dave says
“Under the pilot program, for the tests to be administered, the police officer must suspect the driver of impaired driving. They will not be allowed to make random traffic stops or traffic check points to administer the tests.”
The same thing was said about seatbelt enforcement.
I say, it’s time for Congress to start being drug tested.
J Ossowski says
What was the last chicken coop, designed by the fox, that kept the fox at bay? That’s why the fox is allowed to design the coop – and oversee the builders.
Patrick says
And when they started with e logs for the ” bad actors” that had a history of non compliance. Now they want us all on them. We used to have this thing called the fourth amendment…..
Dave Patraschuk says
Just going for your medical your DNA probably already on file. Don’t sweat the test.
Doc says
Therenos can do the testing!
Witchy says
They say no random traffic stops or check points but……. We all know how that sometime works. They will think up a reason to have a check point or something. Or you’ll hit a scale house and bam. If they were 100% accurate I would see no problem with it. But hell eating some seeds can throw off a test. Or taking cough syrup. And yes for the pot heads they could have had a relaxing weekend 3 weeks ago and it show up. But someone could have shot up heroin 2 days ago on the road and be clean. Its a screwed up system. And yes I agree with the guy earlier. Illegal search. Where’s the warrant. This is suppose to be the land of the free and our freedoms are being taken away more and more every single day.
Elana Smith says
Boycott MI and they will get the message
Doc B says
If the drug tests they’re talking about are anything like those colorimetric field tests already in use, this is big trouble. They give false positives on legal, every-day substances like food crumbs, carpet cleaner, Febreeze, and soap. Depending on the study, those tests give false positives up to 20% of the time. The usual plan upon getting a positive result is to get you to plead guilty to a felony possession charge before the secondary laboratory confirmation test is completed. They tell you it will be easier and quicker for you if you plead. If you plead guilty, that secondary test may never be run or put on the lab’s backlog for years. Until then you sit in prison and keep some guards employed. See, its job creation for prison workers.
https://www.propublica.org/article/common-roadside-drug-test-routinely-produces-false-positives
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-cop-mistook-doughnut-glaze-for-meth-20160727-story.html
https://www.leafly.com/news/headlines/roadside-drug-tests-give-false-positives-putting-the-innocent-beh
Gordon says
Ok so I am on a weight loss program that includes amphetamines. Now I keep them in my prescription bottle but on the counter in my bathroom (safe, secure). So if this is going to work like alcohol if I pop for the prescribed speed I am taken to jail. Or I carry my bottle now it’s in my cab and we all know how secure our cabs are(day cab).
I understand the sentiment behind this but even the current drug tests give positive results for Krispy Kreme Donut glaze down here in Florida. Google that for the story of a guy who was arrested and jailed for donut residue. Cop said it was crack or meth. You would think a 9 year veteran would be familiar with donut glaze.