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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Yes, police will be on lookout for stoned drivers Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News I read a short sentence in the May 11 New Yorker that read, “Colorado study [finds] that the percentage of fatal motor accidents involving marijuana had doubled since its commercial distribution became legal.” I found the information alarming. Perhaps this is something we in Oregon should be aware of since we just made marijuana legal. — Betty L., Medford We almost hate to tell you this, Betty, but we’ve already noticed a few drivers who think it’s OK to smoke and drive. One of our more observant Since You Asked vehicle experts recently saw a couple taking a toke at a traffic light on East Main Street. That is definitely frowned upon by law enforcement officers, who say they are ramping up their training to spot people who are smoking pot and driving a vehicle. “It’s going to impact everyone’s traffic safety,” Medford police Chief Tim George said. “That shouldn’t come as a shocker.” To prepare for the legalization of marijuana, Medford police has sent two additional officers to training in the Portland area to become a “drug recognition experts,” or DREs. With the two officers, Medford police will have a total of nine DREs. During a traffic stop, if an officer believes someone is stoned on pot, a DRE will be called out to verify. George said DREs have been extensively trained to determine what type of intoxicant an impaired driver has been using. “If the DRE believes you're under the influence, you’re going to be arrested,” George said. Since pot was legalized for medical use in 1998, George said he’s seen the number of driving under the influence of marijuana cases creeping up. Legalization on July 1 will mean more people are going to be arrested, he said. “I don’t think it’s going to be a landslide increase,” George said. “It will increase as more users come into the marketplace.” Alcohol is still the single biggest reason for a traffic stop for impaired driving, accounting for about 80 percent. George said that he expects officers will get more specific training on recognizing drivers impaired by marijuana. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted May. 27, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501