Autoblog

NTSB proposes lowering blood alcohol limit on drunk driving laws

Michael Harley — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST

In an effort to reduce the number of alcohol-impaired driving crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a set of recommendations, 19 in total, calling for more stringent laws and enforcement. "Most Americans think that we've solved the problem of impaired driving, but in fact, it's still a national epidemic," NTSB Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman said. "On average, every hour one person is killed and 20 more are injured."

The most controversial of the recommendations has to do with the blood-alcohol level (BAC) that consitutes being legally drunk behind the wheel. As of today, all states consider the BAC threshold to be a limit of 0.08, but the NTSB is calling for it to be lowered to 0.05 (the agency points out that over 100 countries on six continents have BAC limits set at 0.05 or lower). The NTSB estimates that nearly 1,000 lives would be saved by the change.

In other recommendations, the NTSB has called for police to use passive alcohol sensors to help better detect alcohol vapor in the ambient environment, and it is suggesting giving authorities the power to immediately suspend or revoke driver's licenses at the time of DWI. It also maintains that states should employ measures to improve interlock compliance. To read the rest, check out the full press release below.

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NTSB proposes lowering blood alcohol limit on drunk driving laws originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 May 2013 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This is what driving totally stoned on marijuana looks like

Zach Bowman — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Videos

With multiple states legalizing marijuana, government agencies are scrambling to research the effect of the drug on drivers. CNN recently took a look at operating a motor vehicle under the influence of pot by subjecting three users in Washington state to a little driving test with the help of a local sheriff's department. The results are a little surprising, with even casual smokers able to safely operate a car with up to five times the state's new legal limit in their blood stream. At worst, the smokers were actually more cautious on the course than they were before partaking.

Once the levels increased, however, the story changed dramatically, with two participants showing obvious signs of impairment. Heavy user Addy, meanwhile, continued to perform admirably up until the very last stage of the study. You can check out the full video below for yourself, and remember to keep it off the road, kids.

Continue reading This is what driving totally stoned on marijuana looks like

This is what driving totally stoned on marijuana looks like originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2013 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Suit claims Utah trooper faked DUI arrests

Zach Bowman — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:15:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Police/Emergency

An officer with the Utah Highway Patrol was relieved of duty after allegations surfaced that she falsely arrested more than 40 people for driving under the influence. The New York Times reports that a lawsuit stemming from the allegations was filed on December 14 in Salt Lake City's District Court. The suit accuses Corporal Lisa Steed of arresting drivers who weren't even drinking. In some cases, those arrested were people who claim they don't actually drink alcohol at all. Robert Sykes, one of the lawyers on the case, says in many cases, his clients were arrested even after passing a sobriety test.

In those cases, the charges were either dropped or reduced, but not until the accused had paid bail, had their vehicles impounded and racked up court fees in excess of $1,000.

According to the report, Steed had been a rising star within the UHP - she was even named trooper of the year in 2007. But she was fired in November amidst allegations of wrongdoing, though she is currently appealing her termination. Greg Skordas, Steed's lawyer, said the allegations were overblown, arguing that most of her arrests had stood up in court. Even so, Davis County attorney Troy Rawlings has said he will dismiss any case where Steed was the primary investigator or witness. Three years ago, a Highway Patrol sergeant reviewed 20 of Steed's marijuana-impairment arrests and found that the drivers had no traces of the drugs in their system.

Suit claims Utah trooper faked DUI arrests originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Jan 2013 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Year's Day, not St. Patrick's, most deadly on US roads

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 30 Dec 2012 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

Earlier this month, as part of its conclusions to an investigation into wrong-way driving crashes, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recommend ignition interlocks for all those convicted of a DUI. That means every first-time offender couldn't start his car until he had satisfied the breathalyzer attached to his ignition. With the nation's deadliest hours for drunk driving approaching, New Year's Day, the American Automobile Association (AAA) has pointed out the dangers of the holiday and voiced support for the NTSB measure.

The AAA says its own study shows that "nearly eight out of ten Americans support requiring ignition interlocks for all convicted DUI offenders, even if it's their first conviction." Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) has put the national rate of repeat DUI offenders at 15 percent, but there's a huge variance: in California nearly eight percent of fatal DUI crashes are repeat offenders and DUI recidivism overall was 24 percent in 2007, whereas in New Mexico in 2011 more than 50 percent of fatal DUI crashes are attributed to repeat offenders. Another stat from MADD is that "The average driver drives drunk 87 times before their first arrest."

There are already 17 states that mandate ignition interlock devices for those convicted of DUI, and the NTSB is asking the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to speed up research into manufacturer-installed interlock devices. It will probably be a while, if ever, before the federal government or the rest of the country follows the lead of those 17 states, but the real point is this: We've made it past the Mayan Apocalypse, so enjoy the new world and be careful behind the wheel come NYE.

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New Year's Day, not St. Patrick's, most deadly on US roads originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Dec 2012 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Participant claims Fox News Denver rigged marijuana driving test results

George Kennedy — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, TV/Movies

In May of this year, KDVR, Fox News 31 of Denver, Colorado aired a segment in which it tested the effects of marijuana on drivers. At the time of the story, Colorado lawmakers narrowly voted down a law that would have made it illegal to drive with more than five nanograms per milliliter of the drug in your system. So, to determine the effects of driving under the influence of marijuana, the local Fox affiliate gathered up several volunteers, with ages ranging from early-20's to mid-60's, and asked them to hop into a driving simulator after smoking pot. Once participant was not convinced of the news station's objectivity.

Max Montrose was one of the younger volunteers, and he was skeptical about the study, so he brought a hidden camera with him. Following the experiment, he posted a video to YouTube last week, cutting in clips of the new story with his own footage of the test. In one hidden camera clip, Montrose gets a camera operator to admit that the test isn't really that applicable, as well as other volunteers pointing out that the simulator was designed for the CDL test, designed for large semi trucks. He also contends that another vehicle in the simulator acted erratically and crashed into him in the course of his test.

The whole video seemed very damning on its surface, but KDVR has shot back, providing context to many of the issues raised by Montrose. The station explains that the test was conducted by a third party, and though the test was in a CDL facility, the simulator was set for a four-door SUV, a vehicle that would have been familiar for many drivers. Furthermore, the station interviewed a phlebotomist, who stated that effects are different from person to person, and several volunteers passed the test even though under the influence.

The KDVR response basically states that Montrose may have had biased motives from the start of the study, which is a claim that Montrose makes of the privately owned Fox affiliate. The original news report is not very damning for marijuana users, meanwhile Montrose even admits that he "would never advocate in a million years anyone to drive intoxicated on anything for any reason." So, no real conclusions are drawn in the matter, but just like the phlebotomist said of marijuana, this news story apparently affects each individual differently. See the now-viral video for yourself by scrolling below, and draw your own conclusions.

Continue reading Participant claims Fox News Denver rigged marijuana driving test results

Participant claims Fox News Denver rigged marijuana driving test results originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Dec 2012 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Drinking And Driving: Open-container laws in the U.S.

Zach Bowman — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

We're going to make this very, very simple for you. No one has any business operating a vehicle under the influence or driving with an open container in the cabin regardless of local law. That said, the good people at Car and Driver have taken the time to work up a quick infographic touching on open container laws in various states (click here to view).

A total of 11 states are either noncompliant with federal guidelines prohibiting open alcoholic beverages in the passenger compartment or don't have a law against open containers on the books. Those states see federal funding directed from construction activities to safety programs as a result.

That's not to say those 11 are easy on those who imbibe and drive. As Car and Driver points out, all 50 states now have ignition-interlock laws for citizens convicted of a DUI. Those laws require a breathalizer to be installed in the offender's personal vehicle. If the driver doesn't blow a perfect zero blood alcohol level, the car won't start.

Drinking And Driving: Open-container laws in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash

Zach Bowman — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Safety, Canada

Canadian researchers have discovered smoking marijuana three hours before driving can more than double a driver's chance of being involved in a serious crash. The study examined data collected from 49,111 victims who had been seriously injured or died in an accident. Researchers specifically looked at cases where tetrahydrocannabionol, the active compound in marijuana, was found in the victims' blood stream but where other drugs and alcohol were absent. The study also evaluated instances where the driver admitted to smoking within three hours of the crash. The findings demonstrate that, while those who drive under the influence of alcohol are still more likely to be involved in a collision than their pot-smoking counterparts, marijuana significantly impairs an individual's ability to safely operate a vehicle.

Shocking.

The study did not note precise levels of THC present in each instance, though as CBC News reports, other research has proven a positive link between the higher crash likelihood and elevated THC levels.

Law enforcement agencies are currently struggling to effectively test for THC impairment during roadside stops. Unlike blood-alcohol levels, which can be easily tested for using a breath test, THC is harder to detect. As a result, most agencies have adopted a zero-tolerance policy.

Smoking pot nearly doubles risk of serious crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Federal court upholds forced entry stemming from DUI

Zach Bowman — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety

The Supreme Court has long maintained that police can not forcibly enter someone's home without a warrant on the suspicion of driving under the influence, but a federal appeals court recently upheld a case in which a Virginia officer did just that.

On October 3, 2004, Alan J. Cilman had dinner at a local restaurant where he drank and watched a football game. When he left the establishment, officer M.A. Reeves saw Cilman take off at a high rate of speed and proceeded to follow the sports fan to his home. Reeves claims that Cilman ran a stop sign, didn't use his turning indicators and accelerated quickly from each turn.

It's unclear whether Reeves actually activated his cruiser's lights while following Cilman. What is clear is that Cilman made it to his home and quickly walked to his front door while Reeves told him to stop, but did not say that he was under arrest. Cilman then locked his door and told the officer to get off of his property. Reeves called for back up, proceeded to kick in Cilman's door and arrested him for being drunk in public and evasion without force. Those charges were later dropped when a U.S. district court found that entering Cilman's property without a warrant was a violation of his Fourth Amendment rights.

Reeves then proceeded to appeal the decision. Virginia state law declares that if he were later found guilty of a another constitutional infringement, he would be removed from duty. The appellate judges decided that there is no precedent protecting someone from warrantless entry in a case like Cilman's. The court reversed every decision in Cilman's favor and dismissed the case entirely.

Federal court upholds forced entry stemming from DUI originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Legalization opponents fear more stoned drivers

Dan Roth — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:20:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal, Safety

Opponents to California's Proposition 19, otherwise known as the Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010, argue that if the measure passes on November 2, 2010, the roads will become more dangerous. USA Today quotes No on Proposition 19 spokesman Roger Salazar as saying "there won't be anything to stop anyone from legally finishing off a couple joints before getting behind the wheel."

Proponents point to the provisions in the law upholding current laws prohibiting driving under the influence, but Salazar's group notes a lack of clarity. While the proposal has provisions for the establishment of restrictions, opponents argue that there are no actual standards to determine impairment by marijuana like there is for blood-alcohol concentration.

Law or no, there currently isn't a way to stop clandestine cannabis use prior to driving, and police departments are burning tax revenue to enforce current drug laws. Federal drug laws remain in place, however, and will be in direct opposition to Proposition 19 if voters approve it. The uproar may be a new wrinkle to the Reefer Madness argument, though voters eying new sources of tax revenue may find the monetary potential more compelling.

[Source: USA Today | Image: What-A-Bong.com]

Report: Legalization opponents fear more stoned drivers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Donald Duck gets pinched for DUI

Noah Joseph — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Humor

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Donald Duck is used to getting caught with his pants down. Probably because he doesn't wear any pants. But getting busted for driving under the influence is another matter entirely.

Fortunately for our childhood memories (to say nothing of our present sanity), the Donald Duck in question isn't the actual cartoon character, just some fellow who evidently thought changing his name to that of a Walt Disney character was a good idea. After allegedly toking a joint, downing a couple of drinks and swallowing a few pills, the Duck in question got the munchies - surprise, surprise - and headed for the local Little Caesar's drive-thru. That's where he ran into the back of one Margaret Russell's GMC Safari van - repeatedly - and got picked up by local police for his fifth DUI charge. You can't make this stuff up. Don't believe us? Follow the jump to watch the ~~cartoon reel~~ news clip and see for yourself.

[Source: Fox13Now via LeftLane News]

Continue reading Video: Donald Duck gets pinched for DUI

Video: Donald Duck gets pinched for DUI originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving

Noah Joseph — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Videos, Police/Emergency

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Here at Autoblog, we definitely don't condone drunk driving. But we have to admit it is a bit of a tricky thing. How are you supposed to tell if you're drunk if your judgment is already impaired? Well, one woman clearly could tell that at least someone on the road was drunk, and she gave herself up.

That's right. 49-year-old Granton, Wisconsin resident Mary Strey dialed #911 to report a drunk driver on the road. As it turned out, that drunk driver was her. She was even kind enough to pull over and waited for the police to arrive. All of which is a good thing, because according to The Associated Press, Strey had a blood-alcohol limit that was twice the legal limit. Good thing 9-1-1 is an easy number to remember. Follow the jump to listen to the priceless emergency dispatch recording.

[Source: The Associated Press]

Continue reading VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving

VIDEO: Self-policing Wisconsin woman calls 911, turns herself in for drunk driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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