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Bill prompted by fatal crash now law

LANSING — Two former Escanaba residents met with Gov. Rick Snyder this week during a ceremonial bill-signing of a law bearing the names of their parents who lost their lives in an auto accident nearly four years ago.

Barbara and Thomas Swift, each 73, of Escanaba, died due to injuries suffered when their car was struck by a logging truck which failed to stop for a red light on U.S. 2 & 41 in Gladstone in March 2013.

More than a year later, in April 2014, a Delta County jury convicted the semi driver of six felonies including operating a vehicle with the presence of marijuana in his system. He was sentenced to five to 15 years in prison.

Following the trial, the couple’s children — son Brian Swift of Texas and daughter Patti Swift-Dringoli of Wisconsin — spearheaded legislation to help prevent more tragedies like theirs from happening in Michigan.

“People need to be more aware of their actions while driving. It’s a privilege not to be taken lightly,” commented Patti.

Brian agreed, “Driving is not a right, it’s a privilege. If you decide to get behind the wheel of a vehicle and kill or harm other people, you need to be held accountable. We have the technology to test for drugs and we should be doing it. We need to start some place and this is a first step.”

With the assistance of state senators Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) and Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) and other legislators, a bill was created for a one-year pilot program allowing trained law enforcement officers in selected counties to administer a saliva test to drivers suspected of being under the influence of drugs.

The legislation became law when signed by Gov. Snyder this past June.

At the end of the pilot program, the Michigan State Police will submit a report to the legislature on the number of arrests and convictions for driving under the influence of drugs resulting from the roadside tests.

“I’m confident this pilot program will open the eyes of the public as to how many people on our roads are using drugs and the danger they pose,” said Brian. “When you consider the number of people who drink, take drugs, and are texting while driving, it’s a scary proposition. If you don’t think tragedy can’t happen to you, you’re kidding yourself.”

The siblings are hopeful the pilot program turns into a permanent law allowing the roadside drug tests to be administered in all counties in Michigan and eventually other states nationwide.

“Working on this bill has allowed us to focus on the positive, a real labor of love,” said Patti. “We are not done, not by a long shot.”

Brian added, “We have been contacted by other states who are looking to Michigan as a leader in this effort. We have broken new ground and this is a huge problem across the country.”

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Jenny Lancour, (906) 786-2021, ext. 143, jlancour@dailypress.net

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