Making an Impact

August 2023

In this issue:

Many Substances Can Impair Driving
The Misconceptions About Marijuana Use
Safe Ride Home - Portland Bureau of Transportation
Plan Ahead for Your Labor Day Celebration
Sobering News Headlines

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Many Substances Can Impair Driving

Many substances can impair driving, including alcohol, some over the counter and prescription drugs, and illegal drugs.

① Alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs can impair the ability to drive because they slow coordination, judgment, and reaction times.

② Cocaine and meth-amphetamines can make drivers more aggressive and reckless.

③ Using two or more drugs at the same time, including alcohol, can amplify the impairing effects of each drug a person has consumed.

④ Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can cause extreme drowsiness, dizziness, and other side effects. Read and follow all warning labels before driving and note that warnings against “operating heavy machinery” include driving a vehicle.

Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.

Impaired drivers can’t accurately assess their own impairment – which is why no one should drive after using any impairing substances. Remember: If you feel different, you drive different.

The Misconceptions

about Marijuana Use

There are many misconceptions about marijuana use, including rumors that marijuana can’t impair you or that marijuana use can actually make you a safer driver.

① Several scientific studies indicate that this is false. Research shows that marijuana impairs motor skills, lane tracking and cognitive functions (Robbe et al., 1993; Moskowitz, 1995; Hartman & Huestis, 2013). A 2015 study on driving after smoking cannabis stated that THC in marijuana also hurts a driver’s ability to multitask, a critical skill needed behind the wheel.

② NHTSA continues to conduct research to better understand the relationship between marijuana impairment and increased crash risk. NHTSA’s Drug and Alcohol Crash Risk Study found that marijuana users are more likely to be involved in crashes. However, the increased risk may be due in part because marijuana users are more likely to be young men, who are generally at a higher risk of crashes.

③ Research indicates drug prevalence is on the rise among drivers. NHTSA’s 2020 study of seriously or fatally injured road users at studied trauma centers (Thomas et al., 2020) suggested that the overall prevalence of alcohol, cannabinoids and opioids increased during the public health emergency compared to before.

④ While evidence shows that drug-impaired driving is dangerous, we still have more to learn about the extent of the problem and how best to address it. In January 2018, NHTSA launched a new initiative to address drug-impaired driving. NHTSA’s National Drug-Impaired Driving Initiative brings together experts, including law enforcement officials, prosecutors, substance abuse experts and others, to discuss strategies that can reduce drug-impaired driving.

Safe Ride Home

PORTLAND BUREAU OF TRANSPORTATION

Safe Ride Home is a partnership between the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT), taxis, transportation network companies (like Lyft and Uber), the Portland Police Bureau, and bar owners to offer reduced-cost rides on targeted holidays and events to prevent people driving under the influence.

Nearly half of Portland traffic deaths involve impairment. Through Vision Zero Initiatives like Safe Ride Home, PBOT is helping to reduce impaired driving.

During past events PBOT’s Safe Ride Home program helped over 3,300 Portlanders celebrate responsibly and get home safely during the December-January holiday season. During the holiday campaign, there were no fatal crashes related to impairment in Portland.

Make sure Safe Ride Home is part of your plans. Help make our streets safer by planning alternative rides for those who plan to drink.

Choose from the following safe alternatives:

① Taxi rides: Up to $10 off per ride. Users get a paper coupon to present to the taxi driver from a bar or event. Gratuity not included. Partners include Broadway Cab, Flat Cab, PDX Yellow Cab, and Radio Cab.

② Lyft rides: Up to $5 off per ride with a promo code.

③ Uber rides: Up to $5 off per ride with a promo code.

Plan Ahead for Your

Safe Labor Day Celebration

BE PREPARED FOR YOUR

LABOR DAY CELEBRATION ON SEPTEMBER 4TH

INCREASED DUII ENFORCEMENT 8/19/23 - 9/4/23

Just a few sobering reports from local law enforcement agencies during the month of July 2023:

① DRE Evaluation: A drug influence evaluation was conducted on a 58-year-old male, Albany resident, at the police department for a BCSO Deputy. The Drug Recognition Expert determined the male was under the combined influence of a CNS Stimulant and Narcotic Analgesic and unable to operate a vehicle safely.

② July 2^nd DUII: Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle near the 1400th block of NW Kings Boulevard. During the traffic stop, officers observed signs of impairment and arrested a 33-year-old Tangent Resident for Driving under the Influence of Intoxicants. The male was transported to the jail where he provided a breath sample that registered .20% BAC.

③ July 13th DUII: Officers responded to a traffic crash in the 300-block of NW 5th Street. A 36- year-old Sweet Home resident, who was involved in the incident, was arrested for DUII. The person had consumed methamphetamine and marijuana. They were processed at the police department.

④ July 15th DUII: Officers were dispatched to a vehicle doing “cookies” in the 100 block of SE Fischer Ln. The officers located and stopped the vehicle in the area. The subsequent investigation determined the 25-year-old male driver was intoxicated and he was subsequently arrested.