Column For the Week of Dec. 11, 2017
The start of the 2018 legislative session is just a few weeks away. While session might not start until Jan. 3, my colleagues and I have already started drafting and discussing legislative proposals for consideration. So far, I have pre-filed seven pieces of legislation for discussion and debate during the upcoming legislative session.
One of the proposals I pre-filed is Senate Bill 710. This legislation changes Missouri’s current law for driving under the influence to include not just alcohol, but all illegal drugs.
Current law only charges a person with the crime of driving under the influence if they have been consuming alcohol. In today’s society, this law needs to be updated. We know there are people on our roads driving under the influence of drugs. Whether it is marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin or any other illegal substance they are driving while intoxicated, and they pose a serious hazard to themselves and to other drivers.
Under my proposal, driving under the influence of marijuana or other certain controlled substances would be a crime in Missouri. Colorado has seen a sharp increase in the number of motor vehicle accidents involving drivers under the influence of marijuana since the drug became legalized in 2012. According to Colorado data, the number of Colorado drivers involved in fatal accidents who tested positive for marijuana increased more than 140 percent from 47 deaths in 2013 to 155 deaths in 2016. With the current opiate abuse epidemic, and with a number of proposals to legalize marijuana in Missouri possibly going to Missouri voters in 2018, this issue is especially timely.
Driving under the influence is dangerous and should be illegal no matter what mind-altering substance the driver is using. Alcohol is not the only cause of impaired driving. As the use of other drugs and substances increases, so does the likelihood there are people driving under the influence of these drugs. I am hopeful Senate Bill 710 will advance through the Legislature this year.
Very Sincerely,
Robert F. (Bob) Onder, Jr.
Contacting Sen. Onder
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