Drunk Driving Defense Juvenile

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Michigan Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer | OUIL DUI DWI OWI MIP Defense Law Attorney | FREE Online Consultation Get Help Now! Greater Detroit Area " Greater Detroit Area Greater Detroit Area "Patrick T. Barone Site Navigation Return Home DUI Defenses DUI Sample Cases DUI Attorney Info DUI Resources DUI Courts Info DUI Driver License DUI Links I just wanted to drop you a note to express my appreciation for your counsel on my recent OUIL case. I am confident without your help my situation would have been harsh, with greater consequences. -E.H. FREE Online Case Review All Information Submitted to us is Kept Strictly CONFIDENTIAL! If you are facing a drunk driving charge, get a FREE consultation for your case. Just complete the form below and submit it to us, or you can call our office TOLL-FREE at 1-877-MICH-DUI . ( Note *required fields in bold ) Personal Details 1. *Name 2. *Address 1 3. Address 2 4. *City 5. *State Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming 6. Zip Code ex. 49008 7. *Phone number ex. (555) 555-5555 8. Okay to call you at this number? Yes No 9. Alternate phone number ex. (555) 555-5555 10. Okay to call you at this number? Yes No 11. Alternate number is a Pager Celluar Family Member/Friend Business Other 12. Fax ex. (555) 555-5555 13. Okay to fax you at this number? Yes No 14. *Email (ex. someone@someone.com) 15. Okay to email you at this address? Yes No 16. How did you find this website? Please Select Google Yahoo AltaVista County Bar Attorney Find Excite GoTo HotBot InfoSeek Legal Dot Net Lycos Starting Point Webcrawler West Attorney Listings Referred By Someone Other (Please Specify Below) Other: 17. Date of birth ex. 12/01/1970 18. Driver's license number 19. State where licensed Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Personal History 21. Is this your first DWI on your lifetime - anywhere, anytime? Yes No 22. If you have had prior DWIs please list them below: Month/Year County State Result 1. Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Please Select Guilty Not Guilty Nolle Diversionary Program (01/2001) Choose a state Select the DUI result 2. Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Please Select Guilty Not Guilty Nolle Diversionary Program 3. Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Please Select Guilty Not Guilty Nolle Diversionary Program 4. Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Please Select Guilty Not Guilty Nolle Diversionary Program 5. Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Please Select Guilty Not Guilty Nolle Diversionary Program 23. Are you currently on probation or parole? Yes No 24. If "yes," where? 25. If "yes," for what offense(s)? Arrest Details 27. Date of arrest ex. 12/01/2004 28. Time of arrest ex. 12:50 PM 29. Day of the week Please select Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 30. State where arrested Please Select Outside USA Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Washington D.C. Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming 31. City where arrested 32. County where arrested 33. Street or location where stopped 34. County where stopped 35. Court date (leave blank if unsure) 36. Time of court 37. Name of court 38. Name of arresting officer 39. Name of police department Events During Your Arrest 41. Are you mainly interested in fighting your DWI, or do you want to plead nolo or guilty? Fight the case Plead nolo Plead guilty Not sure 42. Other Tickets/Charges received with this DWI (check all that apply): Failure to Maintain Lane Speeding Illegal U-Turn Running Red Light or Stop Sign Defective Equipment No Proof of Insurance Reckless Driving Failure to Yield Other 43. Why were you stopped/arrested, according to officer? 44. Was there an accident? Yes No Not sure 45. Was anyone injured? (check all that apply): No one was hurt/Not applicable Myself Passenger(s) in my vehicle Passenger(s) in another vehicle Pedestrian Not Sure 46. Were you stopped at a roadblock? Yes No 47. Were you given field sobriety tests at the location where you were stopped? Yes No Don't recall Refused 48. Which field sobriety tests were you given? (Check all that apply) Handheld Breath Test Walk-and-turn 9 steps heel to toe One-Leg Stand Follow-the-Pen-With-Eyes Say the Alphabet Touch Your Nose Other 49. Did officer advise you that field tests were 100% optional and that no penalty would result from not doing them? Yes No 50. Were you videotaped at any point during your arrest? Yes No Not sure 51. Did you take a breath test? Yes No, I refused No, test was not offered to me No, I was given a blood test No, I was given a urine test I was given all three tests Not sure WARNING! If you refused to take a breath, blood or urine test after being arrested for DWI / UBAL / OUIN / OWI or another drinking related charge in Michigan, your license may be at risk of being suspended if you do not take appropriate action to demand an administrative hearing within 14 business days after your arrest. Contact our office immediately to protect your license. If you took a breath test you should POSSESS a print-out of the two test samples. List your breath test results here: 54. Sample #1 ex. 0.08 55. Sample #2 ex. 0.08 56. Blood test results (if known) Check here if results are pending 57. Name of testing officer 58. Was your car towed? Yes No 59. Who authorized the tow truck? I did Officer did Not sure 60. Who posted bond? I did Bonding company Family Member/Friend Other 61. Amount of bond 62. Were there any witnesses with you who could testify for you? Yes No 63. At any time during your arrest did you ever ask for or inquire about getting your own independent blood, breath or urine test? Yes No 64. Did you get an independent blood, breath or urine test? Yes No 65. If "yes", what was the result? Check here if results are pending 66. Did you ever ask to call an attorney? Yes No 67. If "yes", when (give details)? 68. Additional comments: Return Home

Maryland DUI DWI Drunk Driving Criminal Defense Attorney Lawyer- Richard Lurye - Home Today is It's time for us to build a strong and aggressive defense. Home Background & Experience Case Evaluation Choosing a Lawyer Call Firm Now Contact Me Criminal Defense Drunk Driving Defense Juvenile Defense MVA 10 Day Rule MVA Hearing Defense Police Misconduct & Civil Rights Directions to Office Newsletter Referrals: AA Referrals: Programs Referrals: Volunteering Tools for Lawyers MARYLAND LAWYER RICHARD STEFAN LURYE CRIMINAL DEFENSE DRUNK DRIVING • DUI DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE • DWI DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED MVA • MOTOR VEHICLE ADMINISTRATION JUVENILE DEFENSE MONTGOMERY • PRINCE GEORGE'S • FREDERICK • HOWARD • ANNE ARUNDEL • FEDERAL Rick Lurye is a Life Member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers , and a Founding Member of the National College for DUI Defense . He holds a Master of Laws in Criminal Justice from NYU Law School , and Certificates from The Harvard Negotiation Project , The National Institute for Trial Advocacy and the Cornell Institute on Organized Crime. He has served as an Assistant District Attorney, Inspector General and Assistant State Attorney General. He has also taught criminal law, criminal procedure, evidence, trial preparation and investigative skills at the college level and in continuing legal education programs such as the National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Rick Lurye aggressively defends his clients against criminal, drunk driving, DUI, DWI, serious traffic and juvenile charges in Maryland. He has saved their freedom, jobs, homes and driving privileges in cases ranging from thesimplest DUI to the complex vehicular homicide. Rick will listen to you, answer your questions and discuss defense strategy with you.He will not charge you for an initial consultation. In the meantime,youcan find out more about Criminal , Drunk Driving , Juvenile , MVA and Police Misconduct issues while you are here. When you're ready, you can contact him and he will earn your trust. The page was recently updated on Design and Layout Contents © 2003 Richard Stefan Lurye

DUI Defense

DUI Help - Drunk Driving Research Everything You Need to Know About First Offender DUI / DWI, Drinking Driving and Drugs Home | State By State Help | DUI Lawyers | Insurance Help | Breath Testers | DUI Videos State Specific Articles California DUI Library Florida DUI Library Illinois DUI Library New Mexico DWI Library New York DWI Library Google Search Results Drunk Driving Research Library Breath Test Penalties Judge Removal in DUI Cases New DUI and DWI Laws for 2006 North Carolina DWI Mexico City DUI Tennessee Drunk Driving Boston Drunk Driving Laws Bicyclists and DUI The Cost of Alcohol Use and Abuse Insurance Institute Report on DUI - Great for Students Chances of Getting Stopped for DUI Passenger Gets DUI Ad Campaigns Reduce Drunk Driving Minnesota Man Gets 23rd DWI September Deadly Month for College Students Father Kills Daughter Walking Her Dog DUI Fine $71,000 DUI Crash Decapitates Friends Head, Driver Leaves the Scene Non DUI Drinker Needs Ignition Device 2/3 Children Killed in Auto Were With Drinking Driver Man Fakes Death to get out of DUI Utah's .04 Proposal Pilots Need Tighter Alcohol Screening Ohio's New Red DUI License Plate Bumper Stickers for DUI Offenders TN Roadblock - No Good AZ Wants DUI's in Newspaper Saab Has New Alcohol Key New Hampshire DUI Bicycle Case FAA DUI Program Pilots Below .10 Can't Be Prosecuted College Drinking - Changing the Culture Man Must Put DUI Sticker on Car How Vehicle Registration Locates People National DUI's Up 4% Crime Drops in 1995 15 Year Old Found DEAD Drunk After Christmas Party DUI Deaths Up in 1995 Limo Driver Drives Drunk Alcohol Crashes Up 1st Time in 10 Years Tragic DUI Case - Teenagers & DUI It Always Seems to be the Innocent Teen Dies with Toxic Mix of Aspirin and... What is the Most Stolen Car in America? DOT DUI Accidents and Injuries History of Drinking in America Ask the Drunk Driving Expert (?) Drunk Driver Shot - Oregon Trial Arm Patch Detects Alcohol Enzyme Where Does the Word Alcohol Come From? People Affected by Drunk Drivers Boating Under the Influence Join Together Online - Excellent Resource Alcohol and Taxes Budget Car Rental Responsible ($5M Verdict) Drug Hair Testing Georgia Supreme Court Says NO to Blood Tests New York Seizure of Cars Unconstitutional Alcohol and the Human Body ABI and the .08 Debate Olympic Committee May Ban Alcohol Advertising Harvard Study on Binge and Abstinence Las Vegas and DUI New York City Law Not Cut and Dry The Law's Victims in the War on Drugs Life In Prison for DUI Offender 137 Years For DUI Driver Gets 16 Years in Unborn Baby's Death DUI Process - Clear DUI Criminal Records Driver License Compact Members BAC Chart Is it Illegal to Drive without Shoes? Odd Questions from MI Increase Speed Limit and Death Rate - Lower! Judge Gorelick's New Book - An Excellent DUI Book NHTSA .08 Assessment (PDF Download) Woman Had Ten Times the BAC Limit Supreme Court Declines to Hear Ohio Roadblock Case The Father of Sobriety Checkpoints Double Jeopardy - The Court & The DMV Field Sobriety Test Blood Alcohol As a Measure of Intoxication Getting Stopped Madd Tracks State Laws Drunk Driving Fatalities - #'s the same Highest Road Deaths Worldwide MADD Reports DUI Deaths Up Highest DUI Related Deaths in U.S. Dallas Highest DUI Deaths No Medical Insurance Payments in DUI Case Gallup Poll - Drink and Driving DMV Reports on Ignition Interlock Device Scooter Patrol Takes DUI's Home Diabetes and DUI/DWI Alcohol Monitoring Device - SCRAM DMV vs Beverage Institute - Ignition Interlock Effectiveness Pilots Convicted of Flying Under the Influence Listerine = DUI Drunk Driving Accidents Up Miranda Rights What is Considered "Driving"? Oregon Taking Licenses for Out-of-State Suspensions Two DUI's in 5 Hours Worldwide Traffic Deaths Up Deportation and DUI - Supreme Court Ohio Court Rules on Hospital's Certification Zero Tolerance in D.C. DUI Deportation Military Full Dress for DUI's Physician's Report Alcohol Problems - Patients Lose License Alcohol-Related Car Deaths Down in 2004 85% Refusal Rate in Rhode Island Teens Video Tape themselves DUI! MADD: Tie One On For Safety Minnesota Last State to Drop BAC to .08 DUI Court Ordered Impact Panel U.S. Supreme Court Upholds Forefiture Ruling (re APS License Suspensions) Elements of Defense of Drunk Driving Cases Check Out State D.O.T./DMV's Online U.S. vs Ursery Atlanta Hawks Ed Gray Charged with DUI DUI's and Mental Health Student Gives Bottle Charged w/ Manslaughter French Wine Industry Recommends 2 Drinks for Driving 5 Years in Jail if Found Drunk Drunk Driving Deaths Down - 1/4/04 Taipei Fines Passengers of DUI's Nevada's New Drug Driving Law Georgia Beer - More Alcohol 14% Alcohol Industry and Underage Drinkers Drinking While Driving Still Legal Legal to Drive w/Marijuana (not in CA) Alcohol and Marijuana Interaction Alcohol Consumption and Recession Man Eats Underwear to Avoid BAC Test Ignition Interlock Study Driving While Suspended Study DUI Under the Legal Limit Young Adults Educating Responsible Drinking Laws Don't Seem to Effect Bars From Servers 17 States Resist .08 Tim Allen Arrested for DUI Tim Allen Waives Arraignment "Frasier" Kelsey Grammer Arrested for DUI Oksana Bayul Ordered 25 Hrs Comm Svc Leigh Stienberg Arrested for DUI Colleges Campaign Against Drinking Doing a Report? Need Statistics? Go Here BJS Special Report - DUI/DWI Offenders - Great National and State Statistics for Reports (PDF Download) Washington Wants to Lower BAC Levels BCAA Calls For Assessment of DUI's High Fines for No Insurance Tips on Inexpensive Insurance Ask Mr Traffic - Kenny Morse Some Companies Refuse DUI's Health Insurance DUI Suspect Beaten Prosecutor's Office Reports Diana's Driver Was Drinking Cellular Phones Can Be Hazardous Drunk Thinks Cops a Taxi! DUI Drives Himself To Police Station! The Few, The Proud and The Drunk DUI Confinement Too Close To Home?! Some Interesting B of J Statistics New York's First Scarlet Letter? Nevada City's Ban DUI Plates in CO? The Cost of Drunk Driving (8/27/97) Washington Says NO to .08 Standards Judge Drinks with DUI Jury! No More Jello-Shots Sociology Dept at Potsdam University DUI Information New South Wales Taking Keys of DUI's Is America Sleep Deprived? Reno Man With 7 Priors Dodges 8th! Brother Watches Brother Run Over MSU Frats Call for Alcohol Ban Man Must Visit Grave of Victim Rape and Alcohol Study An Excellent A.A. Article - 60th Birthday from the New Yorker Study Says Health Insurance to Rise 30% A Short History of Alcohol Temperance and Prohibition Alcohol and the American Experience Legalization in Columbia = Increase Use Death Study of Alcohol Users - MDX Health Digest Colonial America (1800-1855) Alcohol Consumption Relationship Between Sweets and Alcoholism AA - Goals and Means Prom Goers Must Submit to Breathanalyzers A Good DUI Bibliography Old Newsletters - Jan 95 Old Newsletters - Nov 95 Under the Influence Legal Definition Drunk Driving Courts They're Still Driving! National Online Resource Library for the Judiciary on Impaired Driving Lawn Mover DUI at 3:00 a.m. Rhode Island Gets Low Marks for Drunk Driving Laws A Split Decision on DUI Tests Dismissals of DUI Cases Jolt Lawyers Arguments in For and Against Lowering the Blood Alcohol Levels .08 2004 Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatality Counts and Injury Estimates Florida Breath Test Machine Codes Case Florida Implied Consent Ruling Hospital Refuses to Take Blood Kentucky .08 Ruling Gives Suspects More Room to Fight Alcohol Ankle Device Faulty DUI DWI Laws in Other Countries MADD President Glynn Birth Applauds Delaware Enforcement MADD Kicks Off Holiday Campaign Comprehensive Drunk Driving Law Work Off Drunk Driving Conviction Drunken Driving Law Challenged DA Suing Judge Over DWI Ruling DUI Judge Rules in Favor of Defendants Melanie's Bill Becomes Melanie's Law Poppy Seed Defense Works on DUI Charge Last Update: Thursday, January 19, 2006 Home > Drunk Driving Research DISCLAIMER : This website provides only general information intended for those charged with drunk driving offenses. The information and news items on the site are for information only. This information is not legal advice, nor is it intended to create any binding advisory relationship. Do not take action based upon this information unless you consult with an attorney or other specialist. © 2005 Drivers Research Institute   All Rights Reserved   Send eMail   Advertise With Us

OUIL

Michigan Drunk Driving Defense Lawyer | OUIL DUI DWI OWI MIP Defense Law Attorney | Michigan's Administrative Drivers License Suspension Law Get Help Now! Greater Detroit Area " Greater Detroit Area Greater Detroit Area "Patrick T. Barone Site Navigation Return Home DUI Defenses DUI Sample Cases DUI Attorney Info DUI Resources DUI Courts Info DUI Driver License DUI Links Mr. Barone is a very, very intelligent, thorough, good lawyer. He has talent. -Prosecuting attorney's comments to Jury during recent closing argument. Michigan's Administrative Drivers License Suspension Law The 1999 amendments to the Michigan drunk driving laws essentially removed the imposition of all license sanctions from the Circuit and District Court Judges, and placed them with the Secretary of State's Office. Licensing actions range from restrictions to outright revocations. A license revocation is of course the most serious license action the State can take, and this is defined by statute as a termination of the right to drive. Once the license is suspended, the driver may only reapply to the Department for license restoration as follows: After the expiration of one year for the first revocation After the expiration of five years for a subsequent revocation within seven years of a prior revocation. When reapplying after revocation the driver must prove by clear and convincing evidence, primarily based on documentary evidence, that he/she can be considered a safe driver. This determination is usually made by the Secretary of State after a hearing where the driver presents his/her evidence to the Hearing Officer. A restricted license allows the driver to drive to and from and during work, to and from probation, to and from any Court ordered community service and so forth. The authorized restrictions are set forth by law, and the driver must carry proof of destination. Once the restriction is over, the driver may simply apply to the Secretary of State for a new license, and of course, must also pay the reinstatement fee. It is also possible for restrictions to be "indefinite", meaning that they will not end until the driver is approved for a new license. These restrictions are uncommon, and are most often used where, for example, a driver has a medical problem that prevents him/her from safely operating a vehicle. The actual license sanctions are imposed directly by the Secretary of State when they are notified by the Court of an applicable conviction. So, after a person is sentenced for drunk driving he/she walks out of the Court with a driver license, but then is notified of the applicable license sanctions by mail. This notification also includes the dates when such restrictions (or revocation) begin and end. Return Home

Driving Under Influence

BBC Inside Out - Driving under the influence of drugs Home TV Radio Talk Where I Live A-Z Index 26 January 2006 Accessibility help Text only BBC Homepage England Inside Out East East Midlands London North East North West South South East South West West West Midlands Yorks & Lincs Contact Us Like this page? Send it to a friend! Inside Out Extra: Wednesday April 21, 2004 DRUGS AND DRIVING DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE | Drug users face a clampdown Tough measures to crack down on drivers who take drugs will shortly be introduced by Police forces around the country. Inside Out looks at the growing drugs and driving problem. Most of us are familiar with the laws relating to drink driving, but the law is about to get equally tough on those driving under the influence of drugs. Police forces are about to introduce sobriety testing for drivers suspected of taking drugs under the new Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003. Under the new moves, the police will be able to require a motorist to take a new five-part test if there's a suspicion of drugs. It's bad news for the growing number of drug drivers who currently avoid detection, risking the lives of other road users. Under the influence One million people in the UK use a Class A drug regularly whilst another three million admit to using cannabis. But what happens when they drive home under the influence of drugs? Across the UK a growing number of drivers are involved in road accidents have illegal drugs in their system according to figures from the RAC Foundation. A life cut short - George Fisher was a victim of a drugged driver Police forces are finding that in many fatal accidents, the victims showed evidence of cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or prescription drugs. Durham Police in North East England took blood screenings from 23 people killed in road accidents, over the course of a year. Their findings make for frightening reading. The Police samples revealed that 50% of drivers had traces of either cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy or a prescription drug. The figures suggest that the drugs driving problem is becoming more prevalent than drink driving. The consequences can be fatal for other road users and pedestrians. The Fisher family in Blyth in Northumberland know all about the human cost of drugs and driving. Their 24-year-old sonGeorge was killed in a hit and run accident two years ago. The driver had been doing 50 mph in a 30 mph speed limit area, and was later found to have traces of drugs in his blood stream. Drug dangers The dangers of drugs and driving are borne out by Dr Nigel Cooper, a Pathologist. "Somewhere between one in ten and one in five deaths from my personal experience in the last year or so have involved illicit drugs of one sort. Drug users often don't think about the severity of their actions "That's probably two or three times more than it was ten years ago." Recent figures released by the Government support this view. Eighteen % of 1999 road crash victims were known to have been driving with drugs in their system compared to 3% in 1989. Many drivers appear to be ignorant of the dangers of driving under the influence of drugs. Others don't event think about it as Paul Etherington, Traffic Patrol Sergeant from Durham Police points out. "I'm not sure if everyone even understands that it is an offence to drive under the influence of drugs. "Young people possibly don't know or aren't aware of that. We've got to get that message across." Cracking down on crime At present, police officers have no effective roadside technology to detect drugs - a breathalyser is useless. No equivalent "drugaliser" exists. Instead they rely on recognition tests, observation and experience. Between 1985-99 the number of people involved in fatal accidents who tested positive for cannabis increased fourfold from 3% to 12%. Drug users risk arrest if they fail the voluntary tests Cannabis is the most frequently detected drug in fatal accidents. The drug is known to impair vision, perception and co-ordination. Police recognise that it is vital that any change in the law on cannabis is combined with a very high-profile, multimedia campaign. In 2003 the British Medical Association called on the government to co-ordinate scientific research to establish effective drug testing devices as soon as possible. It says drugs - both illegal and legal - can affect the ability to drive safely. Taking the drugs test The new Field Impairment Test (FIT) is designed to identify those driving under the influence of drugs. The test borrows on the experience of Police in the USA who, without the breathalyser, have used it to catch drunken as well as drug abusing drivers. They are expected to be able identify the drug which is causing the bad driving. Taking the test - Five stages A pupil dilation test. Designed to test for presence of drugs. Counting out 30 seconds. Drug users either under-read or over-read time. Walking in a straight line nine paces forward and then back. This classic test checks co-ordination and balance. Raising a foot in the air six to eight inches off the ground. Designed to test balance. Touching finger to nose with eyes closed. This tests co-ordination. There is no such requirement in the United Kingdom. Instead motorists will be asked to undertake five exercises designed to reveal symptoms of drug taking. In the first test a suspect's pupils are examined for signs of dilation or constriction. Police concede it is difficult for even a sober person to pass easily. Other tests measure the ability to co-ordinate two tasks simultaneously. In the Romburg Test officers ask motorists to stand up straight and tilt their head back, close their eyes and count to 30. Swaying and losing count are signs of an impaired ability to drive. Next, suspects have to walk nine paces in a straight line, heel to toe, in a scene reminiscent of many a Hollywood movie. After standing on one leg, alternating between left and right, it is time for the last test. In this test, officers ask a suspect to touch the end of their nose with their index finger three times, using both left and right hands. Blood tests So what happens if a driver does badly in the five-point test? At present if a driver alerts suspicion, a doctor is called and further tests and assessments will be made. This may include a blood test although the cost of administering one of these is about £250. The Police hope the new sobriety tests will deter those under the influence of drugs from taking to the wheel. The tests are currently voluntary but they will become compulsory later this year. How drugs can affect driving Drugs can affect drivers in a number of ways ranging from impaired concentration to poor reaction times: Cannabis Impaired concentration resulting in slower driver reaction times. Impaired steering control and co-ordination. The drug can also induce feelings of paranoia, drowsiness and disorientation. Cocaine This stimulant drug can result in drivers misjudging speed and stopping distances. The drug can give drivers a feeling of overconfidence, which can lead to aggressive driving and increased risk taking. Ecstasy This stimulant drug has hallucinogenic properties and can distort the driver's vision and affect concentration. Drivers under the influence of "E" show a significant decrease in their awareness of road dangers followed by severe fatigue the following day. LSD: This hallucinogenic drug can strongly influence a driver's senses. Drivers may react to objects or sounds that aren't there, placing themselves and other road users in danger. Opiates Opiates lead to slower reaction time, lethargy, sleepiness and impaired co-ordination. Tranquillisers These drugs may impair driver reaction times and can cause drowsiness. Getting across the message Inside Out filmed a young woman who had been taken in by Police following a hit and run accident in County Durham. The woman clearly had difficulty in passing the drugs tests which she took voluntarily. She later admitted to having taken five Ecstasy tablets. Several months later she's a reformed character - she's given up drugs and is now shocked and appalled at her behaviour. Taking the test - a police officer demonstrates the new measures "I can't believe that I allowed myself to get like that. I can't believe how stupid, irresponsible and immature I was. I should have gone to prison for that," she says. "It's done me the world of good. I'm a different person. "I haven't just put my life at risk, I've put innocent people's lives at risk without even thinking of the consequences. "It could have been a child... It could've been another human life not just a metal post." Sadly it's too late for the Fisher family in Blyth. Their son George died in the prime of his young life. Hopefully the new measures will help to detect and deter drivers under the influence of drugs from leaving more families without a beloved son or daughter. The measures have now been approved by the Government and should be operational within the next two years. See also ... On bbc.co.uk Drugs and Driving Learning The Drug Drive Code Clampdown on Drug Driving A to Z of Drugs On the rest of the web Durham Police Talk to Frank Release Home Office RAC Foundation The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites This week's stories The Pilgrims' Way Take a journey on one of the South East's most historic routes. Cornish tea Inside Out goes behind the scenes at Cornwall's tea plantation. Storm chasers Join the storm chasers in search of Yorkshire's worst weather.. BBC Where I Live Find local news, entertainment, debate and more ... England Free email updates Keep in touch and receive your free and informative Inside Out updates. Subscribe Unsubscribe Readers' Comments We are not adding any new comments to this page but you can still read some of the comments previously submitted by readers. Demetria Handerson I think that they should do better by catching people driving while under the influence of drugs because innocent people are getting killed. I also think people who are caught should get at least 5 months in jail so they won't do it again. About the BBC | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy