Daviess County Sheriff warns public of DUI increases

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – The Daviess County Sheriff’s Office sent out a press release warning the public of potential effects of Senate Bill 47, which legalizes recreational marijuana in Kentucky. Officials are concerned some patients will drive while impaired and have taken steps to ensure community safety.

After almost a year of training, every DCSO deputy is certified in Advanced Roadside Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) as of July 2024. The training focused on seven crucial areas: field sobriety, drug categories, signs and symptoms, drug physiology, drug combinations, courtroom testimony, and writing reports.

DCSO Corporal Jacob Gould was certified as a Law Enforcement Phlebotomist (LEP) to help the sheriff’s office with blood tests. LEPs are relatively new, with Kentucky being one of 12 states that allow authorities to perform phlebotomist duties. Corporal Gould is one of only four certified LEPs across the Commonwealth.

Data from the annual Kentucky Traffic Collision Report showed 744 people were killed in 693 collisions in 2022. Almost twice as many deaths were caused by drivers under the influence of drugs compared to alcohol-related deaths.

Daviess County Sheriff Brad Youngman says he feels confident the county is in the best shape possible to handle the upcoming changes.

SB 47 will take effect on January 1st, 2025.

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