MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont lawmakers are considering a proposal to allow police to use a saliva test to check motorists for drugged driving. But the cost of the machines that would be used is an issue.
The House Transportation Committee has been reviewing a bill that would allow use of the tests, which check for the active ingredient in marijuana, cocaine, opiates and other drugs.
Rep. Patrick Brennan, the committee chairman, says the machines likely would be put into use gradually, as they cost about $5,000 apiece.
Allen Gilbert of the American Civil Liberties Union says that group has concerns about search and seizure issues.
But Gregory Nagurney, the state’s traffic safety resource prosecutor, says the constitutional issues would be handled in the same way that they are now in drunken driving cases.
Send questions/comments to the editors.
