THC DUIs Carry the Same Legal Punishment as Driving Drunk
By Edward L. Blais, JD, CICPresident, Blais Insurance
Driving
under the influence of marijuana can carry the same legal consequences as drunk
driving. That is what several people are learning the hard
way over the Christmas and New Year’s holiday break. Although research on traffic fatalities and
marijuana usage remain scant, marijuana users face a tougher battle if a police
officer suspects the driver is under the influence. As more states opt to
legalize the use of marijuana, Blais Insurance would like to shed light on the
process of being charged with a THC DUI and the insurance repercussions that
would entail.
Unlike
testing for alcohol, marijuana usage is typically determined by a blood or
urine test. This poses an immediate road block for law enforcement officers who
are trying to determine whether someone is high at traffic stops.
Motorists
who are simply suspected of being under the influence of marijuana in Rhode
Island can be asked to submit to a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) test,
which usually spells trouble even for the casual marijuana users because THC
can remain in someone’s blood for weeks or months.
If
THC turns up in the BAC, motorists will be charged with a DUI regardless of
whether you were sober at the time of the stop. Depending on the circumstances
of the first offence, motorists could be forced to pay up to
$500, may be required to serve up to 60 hours of community service, and could
have their license suspended for a period of up to 1 year.
Research
around marijuana and car crashes have created conflicting results about the
risk of being involved in a car accident, but medical experts agree that it is
always safer to drive while you are not stoned. The reason is because marijuana
impairs judgement, motor coordination, and reaction time, which the National Institute on Drug Abuse stated are all
essential skills needed to safely operate a motor vehicle.
After
motorists come to terms with their DUI ruling, insurance companies typically
catch wind of the developments when your policy is up for renewal. This is when
insurance premiums are increased by a few hundred dollars on average to thousands
of dollars in certain parts of the country. The increased rate is usually a reflection
of the risk a motorist may present for any insurance provider.
Additionally,
law enforcement agencies are taking proactive approaches to this issue by
seeking training from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to
recognize signs of marijuana use. Even medical marijuana users could face tough
penalties if they are caught driving while under the influence of marijuana,
experts warn.
As
the country’s marijuana laws continue to evolve, Blais Insurance encourages
motorists to treat marijuana the same way you would treat alcohol when it comes
to driving. Even if you smoked once, stay at home to avoid the avalanche of
legal and insurance-related troubles that could come your way.
