The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently promoting a new safety campaign called If You Feel Different, You Drive Different (U.S. Department of Transportation Launches New Ad Campaign to Stop Impaired Driving). The campaign is part of a nationwide U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) endeavor to prevent drunk and drug-impaired driving with the message If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI.
The campaign runs from August 15 through September 3, concluding at the end of the Labor Day holiday, one of the most dangerous driving weekends of the year. Previous studies have found that 43% of nationwide crash fatalities during Labor Day weekend have involved drivers who had been drinking.
The new campaign expands on the NHTSA’s previous Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over language with the message If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. “A driver’s judgment and ability to react are both impaired when driving high, but many drivers don’t realize that it’s dangerous and illegal,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Heidi King. “Driving either drunk or high is a DUI; impairment is impairment.”
The campaign features national television, radio, and digital advertisements encouraging everyone to plan ahead, especially when celebrating Labor Day weekend with backyard barbecues, pool parties, and family picnics. Do not drive high or drunk under any circumstances – appoint a designated driver, take advantage of public transportation, or call an uber to ensure you make it home safely.
Deputy Administrator King hosted a Drug-Impaired Driving Kickoff Summit in March, followed by a number of regional meetings in July. The NHTSA is gathering information from communities to find the most effective ways to curb impaired driving.
With the increased legalization of marijuana, the NHTSA deserves credit for including drug-impaired driving for the first time in its annual Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Too many people still do not understand that driving after smoking marijuana can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. If you have been injured in an accident, please contact SJB for a free consultation. We will only receive a fee in the event of a successful resolution of your case.