United States Department of Transportation
IF YOU FEEL DIFFERENT, YOU DRIVE DIFFERENT.
As summer comes to an end, it's important to remember that drug-impaired driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving. Illegal drugs, prescription medication, and even some over-the-counter drugs can interfere with your brain's ability to properly function. Drug use can negatively impact your motor coordination and reaction time—both critical aspects of safely operating a vehicle. It's illegal to drive while drug-impaired, and it puts you, your passengers and other road users at risk of serious injury or death. In 2015, 42 percent of tested drivers who were killed in crashes were found drug positive, a four percent increase from 2014.
Take the Pledge
Remember, impairment is impairment. If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Take the Drug-Impaired Driving Pledge and ask your friends to join you in taking the pledge to not drive high.
THE EFFECTS OF BLOOD ALCOHOL CONCENTRATION
Alcohol consumption impairs your thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination—all vital abilities to operating a vehicle safely. At a .08 Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC), your crash risk increases exponentially. Because of this risk, it's illegal in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher. But even a small amount of alcohol can affect driving ability.
| Blood Alcohol Concentration | Predictable Effects on Driving |
|---|---|
| .02 | Decline in visual functions, decline in ability to perform 2 tasks at the same time |
| .05 | Reduced coordination, reduced ability to track moving objects, difficulty steering, reduced response to emergency driving situations |
| .08 | Concentration, short-term memory loss, speed control, reduced information processing capability, impaired perception |
| .10 | Reduced ability to maintain lane position and brake appropriately |
| .15 | Substantial impairment in vehicle control, attention to driving task, and in necessary visual and auditory information processing |
Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
The Labor Day holiday weekend is one of the most dangerous times to be on the road. That's why law enforcement in every state will be stepping up to protect us all from drunk drivers.
THE COST OF IMPAIRED DRIVING
If you drink and drive, you could get end up in steel handcuffs, lose your driver's license and lose your vehicle. A DUI arrest could cost you up to $10,000 in attorney fees, fines, car towing, repairs, higher insurance rates, and lost time at work. If you kill someone while driving drunk, you could face manslaughter charges.
Drinking and Driving is Never Cool.
In 2016, 39 percent of drivers involved in fatal alcohol-impaired crashes were under the age of 24. If you've been drinking, never get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
DUI is More Than Just Alcohol.
In NHTSA's National Roadside Survey conducted in 2013-2014, 20 percent of drivers surveyed tested positive for potentially impairing drugs.
I don’t want another family to suffer the devastating loss my family and our community have felt
BE RESPONSIBLE: HAVE A PLAN
Being responsible is easy—if you have been drinking or have taken mind-altering drugs, do not drive. Your life, and the lives of others are at risk if you do not have a responsible plan to get home safely from your Labor Day party. Here are a few tips to help you have a safe and fun night of celebration.
- Before drinking, choose a non-drinking friend as a designated driver.
- Use NHTSA's SafeRide app to call a taxi or a friend. The app is available on Google Play for Android devices and Apple devices on the iTunes store.
- If you are hosting the party, make sure all guests leave with a sober driver.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, call law enforcement immediately.
- Always wear your seat belt. It's the best defense against drunk drivers.
Traffic Safety Marketing Resources
NHTSA offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including drunk driving. These marketing tools provide easy ways to get involved with campaigns.