DUID Victim Network
The short answer is that no one knows.
Critics of stricter DUID bills claim that, since Colorado’s DUI conviction rate is reported to be nearly 90%, there is no need for additional laws governing drugged driving.
There are two problems with that statement. First of all, Colorado’s current DUI law, C.R.S. 42-4-1301 (1), does not distinguish between alcohol-impaired driving (DUI) and drug-impaired driving (DUID). Therefore, Judicial data that are commonly cited for the 85% – … READ MORE
Proponents of a 5 ng THC law argue that Dr. Jan Ramaekers told Colorado’s Drug Policy Task Force (DPTF) that 5 ng THC equals .08 BAC. Dr. Ramaekers is a good scientist from the Netherlands. NHTSA contracts with him to perform impairment studies. He’s highly regarded.
Dr. Ramaekers also said,
• “A THC limit is to protect the general public.”
• “Combined cannabis plus alcohol in any dose is bigger than either alone.”
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The majority of marijuana-impaired drivers test below 5 ng/ml of THC. A ten-year study in Norway6 showed that over 90% of drivers arrested for driving under the influence of marijuana were below 5 ng/ml when tested. According to Fiona Couper, Washington’s State Toxicologist, 55% of drugged driving suspects in Washington tested below 5 ng in 2011.
Colorado’s data are between these two studies, with
DUI per se laws, stricter law enforcement, education, and changing social norms have led to a steady decline in the incidence of drunk driving and drunk-driving deaths according to NHTSA:
But changing social norms and a lack of effective drug per se laws that have hindered law enforcement, have led to a dramatic increase in drugged driving. This chart shows the percentage of fatally injured drivers positive for drugs.
Patterns among Colorado drivers are similar … READ MORE