Specially Trained Officers Spot Driver Under the Influence

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Story Published: Aug 13, 2009 at 6:20 PM PST

By Molly Kelleher

TRI-CITIES - The recent story of a drunk and stoned mom who wrecked her minivan in New York has stuck in the headlines.

In fact, drug-related traffic deaths are up 150% in Washington. This makes it all the more important for cops to know what they're looking for. And they tell us, the eyes tell the story.

Action News learned how some police can spot exactly what you're on.

In what may look like a typical drunk test, is much more when Washington State Patrol Trooper Oscar Garcia is doing it.

He's trained to spot the difference between a drunk driver and a drugged driver, whether it's the illegal stuff or prescription pills.

In all of Washington, there are only 120 DRE's or drug recognition experts.

Trooper Garcia says there are several in Richland but just one each in West Richland, Benton County and Franklin County. Yakima Sheriff's Office has several.

Sure they're looking for swerving, early breaking or stopping way short of a light. But that only gets you pulled over. The real trick is in the eyes.

"While I'm holding it out here the eye constantly is fluttering that tells me there's something on board," said Garcia.

Like the time Trooper Garcia pulled over a woman at 11 a.m. His training told him she was on the sleep aid Ambien CR and he was right.

So why not train more officers to be DREs? Garcia says it's money.

"This is a federally funded program. Hopefully someday the funding will be there," said Garcia.

As things stand now, if an untrained officer pulls someone over, they usually call in someone like Trooper Garcia to assist.

More experts would be a help, but right now it's not in the cards. But some are better than none.

Here's a DUI myth that state patrol wanted to quash. You might think you can't get arrested if you're under the legal limit, but you'd be wrong. You can be arrested if the officer determines your ability to drive is affected, regardless of your blood alcohol content.

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