Bills approved by the State House and Senate deserve a positive review and prompt signature from Gov. Rick Snyder.

The measures, which were OK’d last week, authorize a pilot program for roadside testing of drugged drivers.

As reported by Mining Journal sister newspaper The Daily Press in Escanaba, Senate Bill 207, sponsored by State Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge, authorizes an officer certified as a drug recognition expert to require a driver to submit to a roadside saliva test if there is reason to suspect the person is operating under the influence of drugs.

Separately State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, sponsored Senate Bill 434 It creates a one-year pilot program for the roadside drug testing that will run in five counties selected by the Michigan State Police.

Both were initiated in the legislature at the behest of a Delta County family who lost two loved ones to someone who was driving drugged.

Given the deadly consequencess, it’s difficult to imagine who might oppose this effort.

We urge the governor to sign the bills into law promptly.

– Marquette Mining Journal