Supreme Court clarifies handling of expert evidence in drugged-driving cases

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says expert testimony may be admitted in drugged-driving trials without a preliminary examination of the evidence.

The high court decision today in the case of an Ottawa motorist could pave the way for speedier justice in cases involving suspected drug impairment at the wheel.

In May 2009, Carson Bingley cut off a driver, crossed the centre line and drove into the opposite lane, nearly striking oncoming traffic, and soon after he bumped a car in a parking lot.

He failed sobriety tests administered by a drug recognition expert and admitted to smoking marijuana, but was acquitted of driving while drug-impaired despite the expert’s evidence, which the judge found could be admitted without a voir dire, or preliminary examination of the evidence.