Police Will Be On High Alert For Drugged Driving When Marijuana Is Legalized

On the 1st of July marijuana will become legal in the state of Connecticut for recreational use.  The state is not the first to legalize the drug and in fact it is one of nearly 40 states which have legalized the drug in some form or another.  With the legalization of marijuana comes some additional concerns for law enforcement officers around drugged driving.  One of the biggest causes of New Haven auto accidents is drugged driving and with this recreational drug now being legalized officers will begin to be on even higher alert.

Some police departments across the state are already seeing upwards of 25% of all of their traffic stops involving drugged driving and that is before the law goes into affect.  While the new law does have provisions in it to help law enforcement with training on how to spot those who may be behind the wheel and under the influence of marijuana, many departments across the state are already on high alert for this risky behavior.  In order to identify those drivers who may be operating while under the influence officers are trained to look for a number of different signs including;

1. Observations of how a person is driving
2. Whether the driver admits to being under the influence
3. Items within the vehicle that may give officers a reason to believe that the driver has been using drugs
4. A certain smell that emanates from the car

As officers continue to get greater training on some of these ways to spot those who are behind the wheel and under the influence of drugs, enforcement will ramp up.  When the new law goes into affect on July 1st, all Connecticut police departments will be on high alert for this type of risky behavior from drivers.

Drugged driving is always a concern for police departments.  Along with the consumption of alcohol, the consumption of drugs before a driver gets behind the wheel or while he/she is behind the wheel can lead to a New Haven auto accident and injury or worse, death.  Even when marijuana becomes legal, you should designate a driver if you are going to be under the influence of the drug.

If you have been injured as a result of a driver who was under the influence of marijuana you may need an attorney to review your case.  Contact our office and one of our experienced attorneys will help protect your long-term interests.