Lawmakers Seek Federal Funding for Better DUI Detection

Charles Schumer of New York and Mark Pryor of Arkansas have asked that federal funding be provided for research and police training programs to identify drivers who are driving while under the influence of drugs. Pryor would like to see the creations of federal grants to help law enforcement detect suspected drugged drivers as well as to better detect drunken drivers.

As of now, police have no equipment and few have training in identifying drugged drivers.

Schumer said the current effort is due in part because of two fatal December crashes in the New York City area in which two young children, one 5-years-old and the other who was 4-years-old, died. Prescription drug abuse is being investigated in both automobile accidents.