The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and the Foundation for Advancing Alcohol Responsibility recently awarded grants to five states to assist them in combating drug-impaired driving.
Each state will receive approximately $100,000 to use to provide information and training on the detection of drivers under the influence of drugs
This is the third consecutive year the organizations have awarded the grants. Twelve states and territories applied. This year’s recipients are Idaho, Minnesota, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
“Law enforcement officers are our boots on the ground when it comes to ending impaired driving,” Ralph Blackman, president and CEO of Responsibility.org, said. “More frequently we’re seeing drivers not only impaired by one drug but by multiple drugs or both drugs and alcohol. We need to make sure officers are able to detect and evaluate these drivers, which is why Responsibility.org is proud to continue supporting state efforts to expand and enhance training.”
A report by GHSA and Responsibility.org found that in 2016 44 percent of fatally-injured drivers tested positive for drugs. This is 28 percent higher than in 2006.
More than 500 police officers will receive training, and Drug Recognition Expert courses and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement courses will be supported.