MADD Reminds Everyone Of The Dangers Of Impaired Driving

EAST HAVEN, CT - From MADD: Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) is reminding everyone to take the high road this 4/20 and never drive under the influence of cannabis or any other mind-altering substance.

“Driving under the influence of any drug, including cannabis and alcohol, all too often has tragic consequences. Combining both cannabis and alcohol is even more dangerous than using either substance alone, leading to greater impairment and a greater risk of getting into a crash,” said MADD CT. State Executive Director, Bob Garguilo.

MADD urges everyone to plan ahead for a safe ride home in advance of April 20, an unofficial cannabis holiday.

According to Canadian researchers who studied 25 years of data on fatal crashes in the U.S., the risk of being in a fatal crash is 12 percent higher from 4:20 p.m. to midnight on April 20 compared to the same time one week earlier. For drivers younger than 21, the risk is 38 percent higher. The findings were published a year ago in a research letter in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine.

“Just because you drive somewhere, doesn’t mean you have to drive home,” said Garguilo. “With so many options available today, there is never any excuse to drive drunk or high. Please, designate a non-drinking, non-consuming driver. Use public transportation. Call a taxi or use a ride share app like Uber.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana, affects areas of the brain that control your body’s movements, balance, coordination, memory and judgment – skills needed to drive safely.

“Marijuana does not make you a better driver,” Garguilo continued. “In fact, it can slow reaction time and interfere with your ability to make decisions. It can distort perception and make it harder to solve problems. The dangers become even greater when you combine marijuana with alcohol, which is still the deadliest threat on our roadways.”

Driving while high is impaired driving – and can result in a DUI.

“Drugged driving is a danger to everyone on the road,” Garguilo concluded. “As more states legalize cannabis, we need to work even harder to make sure we all make it home safe.”