Lawmaker proposes 'drug driving' law

January 13, 2011

A law being proposed for this upcoming legislative session would set intoxication levels for certain drugs to help prosecute drugged drivers. Representative Bill Rehm of Albuquerque has introduced propostiton HB 49. It outlines levels for cocaine, amphetamines, heroin, methamphetamine and ecstasy. Marijuana is not included in the list of drugs because Rehm says it would be harder to get the law passed. Rehm says the bill would make it easier for prosecutors to convict people who may be drugged while driving, even if those drivers are not legally drunk. Rhem says 87 percent of people who had their blood tested in DWI cases in fiscal year 2010 tested positive for drugs even when they were not legally drunk.