Like drunk driving, drugged driving is impaired driving, which means it is dangerous and illegal no matter where you drive in South Carolina or any other state. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers and other road users.
I’m using my first blog entry of 2018 to spread the word about drug-impaired driving and to remind you: If you’re impaired by drugs and thinking about driving, pass your key on to a sober driver. Help us spread the word to take your key and “Pass It On.”
It is never OK to drive when impaired. This not only means refraining from drunk driving, but also from drug-impaired driving. NHTSA’s 2013/14 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers found that nearly one in four weekend drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could impair their driving skills and their ability to drive safely.
If you think driving while high won’t affect you, you are wrong: It has been proven that Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—the chemical responsible for most of marijuana’s psychological effects—slows reaction times, impairs cognitive performance and makes it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.
The bottom line is this: It doesn’t matter what term is used, if a person is high, stoned, wasted, or drunk, he or she is impaired. Driving while impaired by any substance is illegal and can be deadly to the driver and other road users. It’s that simple.
In next week’s blog entry, I’ll address how we should all be aware of how legally prescribed medication can, at times, impair someone behind the wheel.