Health & Fitness
Rep. Bradley bill aims to stop driving while huffing
State Rep. Garrett J. Bradley has filed la bill which would strengthen laws prohibiting driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of toxic inhalants, often referred to as "huffing".
(State House) – State Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, D-Hingham, has filed legislation for this session which would strengthen laws prohibiting driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of toxic inhalants, often referred to as “huffing”.
Rep. Bradley said, “By strengthening the OUI law to include other types of toxic inhalants, we may be able to reduce or prevent situations where drivers, whether young or old, operate a motor vehicle while under the influence, and thus improve public safety on the roads of the Commonwealth.”
Under the bill’s provisions, state law would be amended to prohibit driving after having “intentionally smelling or inhaling the fumes of any substance having the property of releasing toxic vapors,” which are defined in a separate law. The current law only makes reference to the “vapors of glue” in addition to the existing prohibition against driving under the influence of alcohol with a blood alcohol content of .08 or greater, intoxicating liquor, marijuana, narcotic drugs, depressants or stimulant substances.
Existing penalties would apply, consisting of a fine of not less than $500 to $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two and one-half years, or both such fine and imprisonment.
The legislation, H.3020, is currently being reviewed by the Joint Committee on Transportation.