Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down
Pot breathalyzers
According to researchers at Washington State University, law enforcement may soon have a portable breath test that will determine whether or not someone has recently consumed marijuana.
They already exist for the detection of alcohol, helping police keep drunken drivers off the roads and saving untold lives. Many impaired drivers are removed from the road by officers who stopped them for things like a broken taillight or minor traffic violation, and then discovered the driver was under the influence. The roadside breathalyzer test is among the tools the officer uses to determine if an arrest is warranted. Now it looks like they will soon be able to do the same for those who are driving impaired because of marijuana use.
Breathalyzers aren’t exclusively for the use of law enforcement. Portable units are available to the general public and are relatively affordable, especially compared with the cost of a conviction for driving under the influence, or worse yet, the loss of a life. If there’s any chance you or the person you’re with had one too many glasses of wine at dinner, here’s a way to answer that question. It might save your life.
With the cost of professional-grade breathalyzers starting at less than $100, it’s a wonder they aren’t somehow integrated into the ignition of every motorized vehicle. Imagine the lives that would save.
Off to a slow start
The office of the Secretary of State issued a report Thursday on the number of ballots returned thus far. Statewide, five percent have been returned. Benton County returns were slightly above the state average at six percent, but less than one percent of Franklin County voters have returned their ballots. Dig through the stack of unopened mail, locate your ballot and participate in the process.
Farm safety
According to a recently released study, of the 47 states with at least one farm death in the past decade, Washington has the nation’s lowest fatality rate. Washington has the most comprehensive agricultural safety program in the nation, and our farmers are embracing it.
Many states have free safety consultation programs for farmers, but aren’t as active as ours. According to the study, in 2014 Washington consultants visited 294 agricultural operations. Minnesota, in contract, has provided free consulting to 10 farms between 2010-14.
This story was originally published October 25, 2015 at 6:04 PM with the headline "Our Voice: Thumbs up, Thumbs down."