June 15, 2004

East Lansing - Higher gas prices aren’t the only thing keeping drivers off the road this year. An increased number of impaired drivers were arrested in the first part of 2004, thanks to the new zero tolerance law for operating while under of the influence of drugs.

From Jan. 1 to May 31, 840 people were arrested in Michigan for driving while under the influence of drugs. During the same period of time in 2003, only 289 people were arrested.

The law, which took effect Oct. 1, 2003 (at the same time as the .08 blood alcohol standard for drunk driving offenses), contains a zero tolerance for drivers with certain illegal drugs in their system. These "schedule 1" drugs are those with no medicinal use, such as marijuana, GHB, cocaine and cocaine-derivative drugs. Under this law, prosecutors do not have to prove the driver was impaired, just that they were driving with those drugs in their system.

Those convicted under the zero tolerance drug provisions will face the same penalties as those convicted for drunk driving. For a first time offender, those penalties are:

"These numbers serve as a warning that there are real consequences for putting yourself and others in danger by using drugs and getting behind the wheel," said Colonel Tadarial J. Sturdivant, Director of the Michigan State Police. "All impaired driving cases, whether it be from drugs or alcohol, are taken seriously. Our continued focus is to keep the public safe by removing these dangerous drivers from the road."

Read more press releases from the Michigan State Police.