Clovis police use marijuana goggles to educate public

CLOVIS, Calif. (KFSN) -- Police across the Valley have their eyes out for drunk drivers. But in this day and age, it's not just alcohol they're worried about.

"What's happening down the road is a lot of people are overmedicating themselves, and that's where they start becoming impaired. We're taking a special look at that, and it is a violation of the law," Clovis Police Officer Mark Bradford said.

Bradford is one of six drug recognition experts in the department. Officers are seeing a disturbing trend of more people being arrested for impaired driving. Recently, the department got a new tool to educate the public: marijuana goggles.

"A lot of people are really amazed on how much they feel impaired just putting those goggles on," Bradford said.

The perspective is one that's much different. Walking a straight line is a challenge. Officers say seeing drivers overmedicated or high is happening too often.

"What we're seeing now is those that are impaired by prescription drugs at 8 o'clock, 9 o'clock, 10 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 2 o'clock, 3 o'clock in the afternoon because they're taking their kids to school," Clovis Police Cpl. John Weaver said.

With the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign underway, officers are taking extra steps to ensure everyone's safety now through the Labor Day holiday.

"You can count on having extra officers out there every single night. That's what they're looking for. They're not looking for just the alcohol; they're looking for those drug DUIs. There's no place to hide," Weaver said.

Officers want to remind Valley residents to designate a sober driver this holiday so they don't end up behind bars. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign lasts through Sept. 7.