A pilot project starting this month will provide a clearer picture of impaired driving involving cannabis and other drugs with the goal of giving Minnesota law enforcement a new tool that could help save lives.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reports drug recognition evaluators from law enforcement agencies statewide will receive training Friday on an oral fluid roadside testing instrument.
The SoToxa Oral Fluid Mobile Analyzer detects the presence of cannabis or other drugs in a driver. This is one of two instruments being evaluated this year for effectiveness, efficiency and accuracy in detecting drugs.
The second instrument is the Dräger - DrugTest 5000. Law enforcement will train using the Dräger at a later date, according to the state.
The roadside tests will be similar to preliminary breath tests law enforcement use to detect drunk driving. The pilot project is voluntary for drivers and results won’t be admissible in court.
The agency’s goal is to obtain legislative approval in 2025.
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