States fighting back against increasing threat to motorists on the road

By Jacob Burbrink,
While recent trends indicate that alcohol-impaired driving is declining, AAA reports a growing body of evidence suggesting a rising threat of another source.
The 2013-2014 National Roadside Survey of Alcohol and Drug Use by Drivers indicate driving under the influence of other drugs is becoming an increasing threat to motorists on the road. While alcohol levels present in a driver decreased by 30 percent in the study compared to the 2007 study, illicit drug use rose by 25 percent.

States fighting back against drugged driving

There are different ways that states are fighting substance impairment. One of the ways they are fighting it is through enforcement countermeasures. AAA reports High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) is a proven method for reducing alcohol-impaired driving and related crashes. It is also effective at addressing other traffic safety issues like seat-belt use.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says HVE is a universal traffic safety approach that is designed to create deterrence and change unlawful traffic behaviors. It combines highly visible and proactive law enforcement targeting a specific traffic safety issue. This may bee seen as checkpoints for things such as sobriety. The efforts by law enforcement officers is combined with visibility elements and publicity to educate people and promote voluntary compliance with the law.

When police pull people over, AAA says officers recognize impairment with the help of training from the Drug Evaluation and Classification (DEC) Program. The International Drug Evaluation and Classification Program website says the program originated with the Los Angeles Police Department in the early 1970s when officers noticed that many of the people arrested for driving under the influence had very low or zero alcohol concentrations.

These officers suspected the people were under the influence of drugs, but did not have the knowledge or skills to support their suspicions. Indiana joined a pilot program for the DEC program in 1988. Currently 50 states, the District of Columbia and the United Kingdom participate in the program.
 Another way that states are fighting back against drugged driving is through per se laws. These laws make it illegal to drive with any detectable amount of a prohibited substance in the driver's blood.
The President and CEO of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, Peter Kissinger, said there is a variation of the minimum acceptable levels of marijuana or its traces in a driver's system.
"Sixteen states forbid any presence of prohibited drugs, while five others have specific limits for marijuana," Kissinger said. "With a lack of uniformity, it’s no surprise we found that more than half of American drivers are unaware of the laws that exist in their state.”
With the legalization of marijuana happening across the states, legislators are faced with increasing pressure to issue guidance and policy.

People arrested for driving while intoxicated may be sent to a DWI or Drug Court. AAA says these courts look to address the underlying drug or alcohol problem that the defendant has in order to change individual behavior. These are coordinated by a judge, prosecutor, probation staff, and treatment staff. The AAA says evaluations have shown that DWI courts reduce repeat offenses. However, critics say drug courts are not the answer toward a health-centered approach to drug use. The Drug Policy Alliance, an organization promoting drug policy reforms, says there is a lack of critical analysis that stymies the policy discussion on drug courts.

Studies, programs initiated to fight drugged driving

The AAA says it is trying to raise awareness of this issue through public outreach and education. One of the ways it is doing this is through Roadwise Rx. This is a free, informative tool developed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety that motorists can use to see how their medication can affect safe driving. It is also using its available Emergency Roadside Assistance to provide safe-ride ("Tipsy Tow"/"Tow-To-Go") programs through some AAA Clubs. These are aimed at reducing substance-related traffic fatalities during seasonal times of the year. The AAA says most solutions involve a free-to-the-public tow home but are recommended as a last resort.

The AAA is also using legislative advocacy and public policy to get the word out. AAA and the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety have initiated three research projects to help understand the potential traffic safety implications of drugged driving. The studies address topics including the relationship between cannabis use and motor vehicle crashes, implications of laws designated to prevent drugged driving and barriers that impede state efforts to collect data on drugged drivers.

The Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also released two studies focusing on impaired driving on U.S. roads. One of the studies found  that nearly one in four drivers tested positive for at least one drug that could affect safety. NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind said that the study shows that a focused and combined effort can make a difference.
"At the same time," Rosekind said, "the latest Roadside Survey raises significant questions about drug use and highway safety. The rising prevalence of marijuana and other drugs is a challenge to everyone who is dedicated to saving lives and reducing crashes."

What you can do

AAA said there are some things that people can do to fight drugged driving:

• Offer to be a designated driver or appoint a designated driver to take all car keys.
• If you find yourself substance-impaired and unable to drive, call someone to pick you up.
• Avoid driving to parties where drugs and alcohol are present.
• Discuss the risks of drugged driving with friends in advance.
• To get help for an addiction and/or substance abuse for yourself or someone you care about, go here.