11/8/07-A bill in the Assembly Public Safety Committee would enact a zero-tolerance policy toward all drivers with illegal drugs in their system.
California law now considers drivers to be under the influence of alcohol if their blood-alcohol content is at least 0.08 percent. But there is no similar threshold for illegal drugs such as methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin.
Sponsored by Assemblyman John Benoit, R-Bermuda Dunes, AB1215 would set a “per se” legal standard on drugged driving. It would consider drivers to be under the influence if they tested positive for any amount of drugs in their system.
Exceptions would be made for marijuana users or people taking prescription drugs.
The bill remained in the Assembly Public Safety Committee when this year’s session ended. The panel is expected to pick up the bill for consideration during the regular session that begins in January.