impaired driving

These clips from a news article hardly need an introduction… business as usual for the politicians, the lobbyists and the industrialists.

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), citing federal statistics, last week issued an update of a comprehensive 2015 report saying that 43 percent of drivers tested in fatal crashes in 2015 had used a legal or illegal drug, higher than the 37 percent who tested above the legal limit for alcohol.

MADD officials also questioned the methodology of the research in the report, noting that there is no scientifically agreed level of impairment with drugs such as marijuana. There is also no uniform test, roadside or otherwise, to determine such a level.

To some, the report smacked of an attempt by the makers and purveyors of booze to shift the conversation. That’s because the GHSA report was also underwritten by the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility, whose members include makers of alcoholic beverages such as Bacardi USA; Brown-Forman, which produces Jack Daniel’s whiskey; and Constellation Brands, whose labels include Corona beer.

For clarification: I am against impaired driving. I don’t care if it is booze, approved or unapproved drugs, reading, texting, goofing with kids in the back seat, being terminally stupid … Impaired is impaired.

It is real dang easy to prove, too. You caused an accident. BAM, GUILTY of impaired driving.