Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol or cell phone usage can lead to accidents, serious crashes and even death. It’s important for officers to be able to spot the warning signs of impaired drivers and act accordingly. It’s also Important for drivers to understand how impaired driving affects themselves and others on the road.
On June 12 in Muskogee, Oklahoma, the first Driver Impairment Awareness Day will take place. Two Oklahoma cannabis companies, Herbal Wellness Extracts and Oklahoma Natural Grass will pair up with Muskogee County sheriff’s and the Muskogee Police Department to allow volunteers to ingest alcohol or marijuana under the surveillance of a certified driving instructor. The volunteers will then drive around a labeled course and take part in a field sobriety test performed by the officers.
The final group of volunteers will drive the course while texting. The National Safety Council states that cell phone usage is present in 27% of all crashes.
The reason for this event is to inform cannabis customers of the risks that come with driving while high. The same goes for law enforcement to enlighten drivers of how they could jeopardize their own and others’ futures driving while drunk and the risks associated with texting and driving.
Even though countless organizations dedicate themselves to raising awareness about this issue, accidents and crashes do occur, crimes are committed, and drivers are charged. Know when enough is enough, be safe on the roads and inform others when you can.
