The Minnesota Department of Public Safety is reporting that “drugged” driving arrests were up 96% in a recent report, but not for the reason you’re thinking.
The report included arrests from 2018 to 2022.
Mike Hanson told News Talk 830 WCCO’s Adam Carter that part of the new law legalizing recreational marijuana includes $10 million this year for training officers to detect drug-impaired drivers.
With better-trained officers comes more recognition of impaired driving, leading to more arrests.
“One of the reasons we’re seeing that increase is that our officers are getting better trained, and they’re better able to recognize those drivers who are under the influence of something other than alcohol,” Hanson said.
Also, starting next month, he says the state will launch a new pilot program that will allow officers to have drivers take an oral fluid test roadside to determine what drugs may be in a person’s system.