In a recent government meeting held by the Michigan Legislature on May 22, 2025, discussions centered around the implementation and efficacy of oral fluid testing for impaired driving. This meeting highlighted the growing concern over drug-related driving incidents and the need for effective measures to enhance road safety.

Chief Troy Meeter from the Village of Cheseneen, a veteran of the Michigan State Police, provided insights into the processes surrounding impaired driving assessments. He emphasized the importance of oral fluid testing as a reliable method for detecting recent drug use among drivers. The Sotoxa oral fluid analyzer, which was used in pilot programs, allows officers to conduct roadside tests that can quickly indicate whether a driver may be impaired by drugs. Chief Meeter noted that the testing process involves multiple phases, including an initial evaluation of the driver’s impairment, followed by the administration of the oral fluid test and a confirmatory blood draw.

Kristen Burke, a former director of the California Department of Justice Forensic Toxicology Lab, also testified about the scientific validity of oral fluid testing. She explained that while these tests do not directly establish impairment, they provide crucial supplementary information that can support law enforcement's decisions to pursue arrests for driving under the influence of drugs. Burke highlighted that oral fluid testing has been successfully implemented in various countries and has shown strong concordance with traditional blood testing methods in pilot studies across the United States, including Michigan.

The meeting underscored the increasing prevalence of multi-substance impaired driving, where alcohol is often combined with other drugs, intensifying impairment. Both Chief Meeter and Burke stressed the need for effective tools like oral fluid testing to combat this growing issue, as each incident of drug-impaired driving poses a significant risk to public safety.

As the meeting concluded, the committee members expressed their commitment to exploring the potential of oral fluid testing as a standard practice in Michigan, aiming to enhance the state's ability to address impaired driving effectively. The discussions set the stage for future legislative actions that could lead to the broader adoption of these testing methods, ultimately contributing to safer roads across the state.