Officials warn: Recreational pot legal; DUI is not

Members of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII are reminding motorists this holiday season that it is illegal to drive under the influence of marijuana. In Oregon,, there is no presumed blood level of marijuana in a driver’s system that implies that the driver is impaired.

The most important thing is, no matter what the substance – legal or illegal – if it impairs you, you shouldn’t get behind the wheel.

Tragically, this past weekend in Portland, a driver hit and killed a bicyclist, and the driver was reportedly high on marijuana, officials said..

“In Oregon, and in the majority of other states, impairment is impairment,” said Chuck Hayes, chair of the committee and a nationally recognized drugged driving training expert with the International Association of Chiefs of Police. “We know marijuana affects reaction time, short-term memory, hand-eye coordination, concentration and perception of time and distance – all of which are vital functions for driving safely.”

December campaign focuses on sober driving

Governor Kate Brown has proclaimed December as “3D Month,” which stands for Drunk and Drugged Driving Awareness Month, in order to encourage conversations about making smart choices during this celebratory season. Over the past five years in Oregon, during the hours defined as the Christmas holiday, 12 people have died in crashes, and seven of those were in alcohol-involved crashes.

“Residents and communities in Oregon need to continue to demand that friends and family members be responsible, avoid driving under the influence of any intoxicants, and condemn irresponsible and life-threatening driving choices,” Governor Brown wrote in the proclamation.

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration is launching a $7.5 million media campaign with the slogan “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” from Dec. 16 – Jan. 1. Oregon law enforcement agencies will be using ODOT-administered grants to add extra patrols throughout the state. And they’ll be looking for any kind of impaired driving.

“Driving high is still DUII,” Hayes said. “Police officers are trained to detect impairment in driver, even if it’s something other than alcohol.”

Increase your awareness

Safety advocates in Oregon are busy gathering facts about how marijuana, now that it is legal to use recreationally, affects driving, according to Dan Estes, ODOT’s Impaired Driving Program manager.

“There’s a myth out there that marijuana doesn’t affect behavior behind the wheel or otherwise, but evidence shows that it does,” he said. “Now we need to increase awareness about that and prevent impaired driving.”

Trained officers know the impacts

Oregon has about 200 officers statewide that are trained as Drug Recognition Experts (DREs). In addition, Oregon continues to increase basic drug-detection training to police officers through the Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) program. According to Oregon DRE Coordinator Sgt. Evan Sether of the Oregon State Police, more than 400 police officers have been trained in ARIDE, and more training is scheduled for 2016.

The Governor’s Advisory Committee on DUII, tasked with helping raise awareness of the dangers of DUII and getting communities involved in reducing DUII, hopes that Oregonians, like those who don’t drink and drive, will consider the tragic consequences that can occur when marijuana and driving mix – and then take personal responsibility for making safe choices.

Got a smartphone? Download the SaferRide app so you can easily and quickly arrange a ride if you are impaired. Learn more.

Tips to save lives

Get rested before you are tested. Fatigued drivers are more frequent during holiday weekends because of increased travel and activity. Be patient and allow plenty of time to reach your destination.
Pay attention. An inattentive driver is a growing safety concern on our roads and an increasing factor in traffic crashes. Know before you go: Stay up to date on road conditions by visiting TripCheck.com or calling 5-1-1 . Don’t use your cell phone to check on this non-emergency information while driving. Even when workers are not present, all work zone speed limits still apply and fines double. Inactive work zones still have equipment, detours, and incomplete changes in the roadway so drivers need to slow down and be alert. Share the road. Don’t tailgate and be sure to check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. Be on the lookout for bicyclists, pedestrians and other vulnerable users of our roads . SEE… and make yourself BE SEEN. Always use safety restraints and child safety seats correctly (see www.childsafetyseat.org for free safety seat clinics and proper buckling tips). Don’t drink and drive; don’t be impaired and drive. The consequences can be fatal. MOVE OVER if you are approaching any type of emergency vehicle, tow truck or roadside assistance vehicle which is stopped on the roadside with emergency lights activated. Be a responsble party host. Make sure everyone has a designated driver, or be ready with taxi information.