Designate A Driver Has A New Meaning In Connecticut

For as long as I can remember the call of safety experts was when you’re out drinking with friends that you should always, before you head out for the night, designate someone who will not drink alcohol at all that night to be the person who drives everyone home.  Designating a driver became one of the best tools that we all had in our tool belt to avoid New Haven auto accidents that involved drunk driving.

This has not changed.  Designating a driver when you are out drinking is one of the best things you can do to keep yourself and your friends safe.  Of course now you can also use a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft to get you to and from your destination, so if that is your plan that is a good one as well.

With the recent passage of new legislation allowing adults to use marijuana recreationally in the state of Connecticut, designating a driver has taken on a new meaning.  Now it is not just important to designate a driver if you are headed out for a night of drinking, but if you will be smoking pot it is important that you designate a driver to be the person who does not get high for the night.

While Connecticut did legalize the recreational use of marijuana it does not give drivers any wiggle room on driving while under the influence and so not only can driving while high put you in a greater risk of an accident it can also put you at greater risk of a DUI.  In fact, the new legislation actually strengthens law enforcement’s ability to prove that you have been impaired by drugs while driving.  Under the new legislation a driver that is brought in under suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs can no longer refuse to be evaluated by a Drug Recognition Expert.  Previously this is an evaluation that was legally able to be refused at the police station.

The bottom line under the new marijuana legalization legislation is that driving while impaired by drugs will not be tolerated in the state.  This type of behavior can be dangerous and may lead to a New Haven auto accident.  The best way to avoid the dangers of driving while impaired by drugs is to designate a driver who can handle the driving duties for the night.

If you’ve been suspected of driving under the influence of marijuana and need representation our office can review your case.  Contact one of our experienced attorneys today.