Driving impaired by medicines as dangerous as driving drunk

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

Matt Porter, NCC News

People driving drugged now easier to catch, Police say

Five years ago if you were driving akwardly and looked sluggish (but not drunk), Officer Robert Boris would pull you over and not be able to find any violation in the law. But now, he can identify signs that a driver may be taking drugs, illegal or legal, that are impairing his or her ability to drive.

"Just because you are prescribed a medication," says Officer Boris, "doesn't mean you can drive with that medication."

In fact, Officer Boris says that if you are found impaired under the influence of any drug, from cocaine to Tylenol, you can be charged to the full extent of the law. It's just until now, Police have had a much more difficult time identifying when someone is "driving drugged."

In 2005, Officer Boris became one of four Syracuse Police Officers to receive training to specifically identify people under the influence of drugs. According to a recent New York Times report, there are only 7,000 "drug recognition officers" across the country like Officer Boris.

Since he's had the training, Officer Boris says he hasn't lost a single case in court.


On why it's so easy:

"The attorney's know that we know what we're talking about," says Officer Boris, "my [success] rate is 98 or 99 percent."

What is the charge?

In Syracuse, the charge is known as a "D.W.A.I. by drugs" which stands for: Driving With Ability Impaired by Drugs. It doesn't matter what the drug. The punishments are equivalent to a D.U.I. Penalties can include, but are not limited to:

• Fines (250 to 1000 dollars)
• Suspension of License
• Prison sentences (Five years or more)

Officer Boris says the law is serious because "you're putting yourself in danger, you're putting everyone else in danger, it's just not worth it."

How to know when you shouldn't drive?

Pharmacist Christine Camille says people should not drive or do anything after taking a new medication, whether it's over the counter or prescription. Camille says over the counter medications, particularly antihistamines like Benadryl and Zyrtec can make people drowsy or sluggish.

She says patients should take it easy the rest of the day at home, and if they can't do that, wait until the evening to test new medicines because side-effects like drowsiness may not take effect right away.

"If the prescription is time released," says Camille, "you could have [side-effects] six hours later, twelve hours later."

Camille also warns patients not to mix prescriptions unless prescribed to do so, and to avoid mixing alcohol with any medicine. Alcohol, she says, suppresses the central nervous system and can have an adverse effect on many drugs.

As for Officer Boris, he says people need to take it easy when trying new drugs, and also to read labels closely.

"The red tag says do not operate heavy machinery," says Officer Boris, "a car is that."

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Sheriff says cell phone crackdown succeeding

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)

(Photo by Matt Porter)

Matt Porter, NCC News

Public learning the new law, Sheriff says

Syracuse Police, partnered with the Sheriff's department and State Police, placed extra patrols on the road last week to be on the look out for drivers using their cell phones (or any electronic device) while driving. This is the second of four rounds of "cell phone crackdowns" funded by a grant from the Federal government.

Sheriff Kevin Walsh says he's seen a a drop in ticketing this time over the last period so far.

"There is finally some more compliance," says Sheriff Walsh.

Walsh says he waited on a street corner near the S.U. campus where he used to see students driving with the phone all the time. This time, he came up empty.

What's illegal?

The law says, "Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using any portable electronic device while such a vehicle is in motion." If you're wondering what can land you a ticket, and what can't, here's a list:

• Talking or texting, or using your mobile device in any way while driving are ticketable offences.
• Using a laptop or iPod while driving, a ticketable offence.
• Using a cell phone with speaker phone, against the law unless you have a hands-free set up.
• If your car is stopped, or pulled over in a place where it's legal to do so, using your device is fine.
• Emergency responders, as defined by law, including police, fire, and emergency personnel are exempt. (Alas, no journalists!)
• As always, if you're pulled over, the officer has full discretion to decide if you get a ticket or not.

Is all this worth the money and time?

The Syracuse Police and Sheriff's Department say absolutely. Sheriff Walsh says, "we get calls about distracted drivers all the time."

2008 New York State traffic statistics show "distracted driving" as the leading cause of accidents involving injury or death. One in four drivers involved in an accident causing injury or death were labeled as "distracted." The leading cause of distraction is none other than people using cell phones.
Some residents say the police should focus their attention to what they see as more important traffic violations.

"They should be getting people who were drinking or driving, with DUIs," says 26-year-old Andy Cheng, "that's more of a threat."

But, according to the 2008 statistics, alcohol-related incidents made up for just over 3 percent of accidents while distracted driving made up for over 20 percent. It's important to note that there are often multiple factors assigned by officers and therfore, the numbers may not be as far apart as they seem. Cell phones are also not the only cause for "distracted driving."

But still, police say educating the public about any one distraction is a success. Sheriff Walsh likened the current cell phone program to the "click it or ticket" program from the 90s.

"Using the cell phone can risk your life, we're trying to get the word out," says the Sheriff.

"Click it or ticket" also started as a federal pilot program like the new cell phone initiative. The current program is being funded in two cities: Syracuse and Hartford, Connecticut.

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Police "move-in" to troubled Syracuse neighborhoods for the summer

(This story was originally published for NCC News at Syracuse University. View the original story.)


Matt Porter, NCC News

Making their presence known

The Syracuse Police stationed officers in temporary office units in neighborhoods where they receive the most calls. The Police Department calls it the "Stop-In" program, which stands for "Strategic Team Oriented Policing in Neighborhoods."

The "Stop-In mobile policing units" are located in three neighborhoods: Rockland Avenue, Fernwood Avenue, and on the corner of Knaul and Highland Street. Each area had high call volumes in 2009.

The purpose of the program is for officers to embed themselves in these neighborhoods, find out the problems of the neighbors, and work to resolve some of them. According to Deputy Police Chief Joe Cecile, some of the issues the police hope to help solve include:

• Identify and investigate suspicious houses in the community that may be holding guns or drugs
• Identify and investigate suspicious activity that could be drug or
  gang related
• Problems with drivers speeding or committing other serious traffic violations

Police Chief Frank Fowler said in a press conference today that he hopes that by having officers embedded in the community, even for a short time, will encourage residents to be proactive and watchful in their neighborhoods.

"We're on the same side," said Chief Fowler, "They want the criminal out of the community, I want them out of my city."

Deputy Chief Cecile noted that the officers have been off to a slower start than expected in the communities like Knaul because of language barriers with some community members.

Is it working?

Residents we spoke to today say "the pods" have made an impact on the community.

"It's been quieter," says Michelle Smith who was walking her ten-month year-old son when we stopped her about a block from the pod, "I think it should stay, it would help the neighborhood a lot."

Although the cost of the pod is cheap, $230 dollars a month, the city can't afford to staff the officers at the pods permanently. For now, they've re-assigned their school officers to the pods. But in a few weeks, they'll be re-assigned when school starts back up.

The police are offering cell phone numbers to residents according to Chief Fowler, and residents say they would take advantage of that.

"Usually, when you call 9-1-1, it takes em a bit because they have other calls," says Krista Bombard who works at the bakery down the street from the pod, "If there's something going on right there, you can call the officer and he'll come down right away before it got out of hand."

A smashed window from some hurled object serves as a reminder for Bombard of the neighborhood's potential for volatility.

Looking towards the future

Police Chief Fowler says the Knaul-Highland neighborhood was not only chosen for its high call volume, but also because it doesn''t have an active neighborhood watch program. He says he hopes that by having officers teach residents about these programs, they'll be able to help law enforcement "by doing some self-policing."

He doesn't mean whipping out a pistol or handcuffs, but by people keeping their eyes and ears open, and getting involved in city programs like Neighborhood Watch. One resident who preferred only to be referred to as James, says the community already does something similar.

"People know each other in this neighborhood. They bond," says James, "We talk to each other in this neighborhood."

A lot of the neighbors say they wished the pods could stay, and were skeptical of things staying as quiet when the police leave next month.

"It will probably pick right back up the way it was," says Bombard.

As for James, he says the police's goal of closer relations is possible, but only if "people come together and want it, you know. If there's no unity than people perish."

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