Tens of thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States are on heightened alert for impaired drivers as part of a country-wide traffic safety campaign.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has joined forces with safety partners to launch the 2019 national impaired-driving high-visibility enforcement campaign which runs through to the Labor Day holiday weekend – one of the deadliest times on US roads.
NHTSA, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA), and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) have unveiled their alcohol- and drug-impaired driving messages, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and If You Feel Different, You Drive Different – Drive High, Get a DUI.
NHTSA and others have focused on educating marijuana users on the risks of driving high due to recent legalization efforts.
“Almost everyone knows that driving drunk is dangerous, puts lives at risk, and can get you a DUI – but there isn’t the same awareness for drug-impaired driving,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King.
“At NHTSA, we are working hard to raise awareness among the driving public of the fact that driving impaired by drugs is illegal in every state. We want to encourage people to think twice before driving and to follow through by designating a sober driver, calling a cab, or using a ridesharing service.
