05:46 PM PDT on Saturday, May 1, 2004

By GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

KING DUI now includes all categories of drugs that affect driver alertness.

SEATTLE – More and more people in Washington state are learning that It's not just drinking and driving that can get you a DUI – now there’s drugged driving.

Washington State Patrol Troopers are undergoing training to more effectively identify people who are under the influence of drugs, learning how to handle what has become a rapidly growing and deadly crime.

"We have arrested, like I said, over 1,500 last year,” said Washington State Patrol trooper Ken Denton. “That's about a 200 percent from the previous two years."

Drug intoxication is suspected in several recent cases involving drivers who have veered off the road and struck innocent victims on sidewalks and in yards. The cases often involve the use of illegal drugs but not always.

"You can be under the influence of prescription drugs,” said Denton. “If you are under the influence of any kind of drug you will be arrested and you are going to be prosecuted."

It's a DUI just like if you were drinking and driving.

State police are so serious they've activated a special unit of Drug Recognition Experts. Officers test and study drugged suspects, learning the signs and knowing when to draw blood.

Those signs can be different than those of drinking drivers but the results can be same and, warn officers, so will the penalties for driving under the influence - of anything.

State troopers advise that if your medication warns not to operate heavy machinery while using the drug, that includes your car.