Recent study has potential to affect DUI laws around the country.
You may already know that DUI of drugs and DUI of alcohol cases have one huge difference: while there is an official legal limit for blood alcohol content, there is no equivalent limit for drugs. However, this may be set to change in the near future based on the upcoming results of a federal research project.
The research project was conducted at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, home of the National Advanced Driving Simulator. 19 very willing volunteers were given a specified amount of marijuana, marijuana and alcohol, or a placebo and then asked to drive for 40 minutes on the simulator. Blood and saliva tests were taken at various intervals to monitor the amount of marijuana and alcohol in the volunteer’s system.
Over 250 variables were tested, including different functions and abilities necessary for driving. Now, the researchers are in the data-crunching phase of the project, looking for relationships between these variables that could help establish how marijuana use affects driving impairment and what effect combining marijuana with alcohol may have. The initial results are expected to be available by October.
If a conclusive result is established, this study could very well help convince legislators to set a legal limit for marijuana impairment, similar to the legal limit for alcohol impairment of .08 BAC.
However, it is important to note that just because there is currently no legal limit for marijuana doesn’t mean you have a free pass to drive stoned. Even if you have a medical marijuana prescription in California, you may still be found guilty of DUI of drugs.
The evidence in a DUI of drugs case might consist of:
- Blood test results showing drugs in the system
- Drugs or drug paraphernalia found in your car or on your person
- Observations made by the arresting officer regarding your behavior or appearance
- Results of Field Sobriety Tests
All of this evidence can be challenged by a skilled DUI of drugs defense attorney. Plus, there may also be other possible defense arguments to explore, such as you were stopped without probable cause or at an illegal DUI inspection checkpoint. So don’t give up if you get arrested for DUI of alcohol or of drugs! Instead, contact an experienced attorney such as Dan E. Chambers immediately. Your attorney can begin helping you immediately by assisting with DMV hearings as well as by beginning to build your DUI defense case.
