From the Arkansas State Patrol:
LITTLE ROCK – Ahead of April 20, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Arkansas Highway Safety Office and local law enforcement are reminding drivers that it is illegal to drive under the influence of drugs.
On “4/20” — a day associated with marijuana — some might observe increased marijuana use. But no matter the day, the message is the same: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get A DWI.
“Driving while impaired by any substance — legal or illegal — puts you and others in harm’s way,” said Arkansas Public Safety Secretary Colonel Mike Hagar. “It’s a common and dangerous misconception that people drive better when they are high,” he said.
From April 17 – 20, state and local law enforcement officers will be conducting high-visibility enforcement with a goal of preventing drug-impaired driving to help save lives and prevent serious injury.
Driving high has serious and deadly consequences. A NHTSA study, from 2019-2021, showed that 26% of drivers seriously injured or killed in crashes tested positive for marijuana.
Drugs, including marijuana, affect driving abilities. It has been proven that marijuana can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance, and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane. These are all unsafe driving behaviors that can cause serious injuries or death in a crash.
The Arkansas Highway Safety Office would like to remind drivers about the lifesaving message, If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get A DWI.
To learn more about drug-impaired driving, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving or call the Arkansas Highway Safety Office at (501) 618-8136.
