CHP officers urge caution to drivers during holiday
Authorities not only looking for drivers under the influence of alcohol, but illegal and legal drugs
The new year is almost here and as the festivities continue, the California Highway Patrol (CHP) wants to remind motorists to celebrate safely and responsibly by designating a sober driver.
The CHP will observe the New Year with a Maximum Enforcement Period (MEP) from 6:01 p.m. on Friday, December 29, 2017, to 11:59 p.m. on Monday, January 1, 2018. All available personnel will be on duty. Not only will officers focus on keeping the motoring public safe by removing impaired drivers from the road, they will also be watching for distracted driving, speeding and seat belt violations, as well as motorists in need of assistance.
During last year’s New Year’s Day MEP, 29 people died in collisions on California roadways. In addition, CHP officers made more than 750 arrests for driving under the influence during the 78-hour holiday enforcement effort.
“Impaired driving is a very serious crime that puts your life and the lives of others at risk,” CHP Acting Commissioner Warren Stanley said. “Let’s end this year safely and start the New Year by designating a sober driver, wearing your seat belt and observing all traffic laws.”
With the New Year, comes a change in law for California. In 2016, voters passed the Adult Use of Marijuana Act, more commonly referred to as Proposition 64, which legalized adult recreational use of cannabis.
“The legalization of cannabis does not change the effect it has on the central nervous system. Driving under the influence of cannabis and other drugs remains illegal,” added Stanley.
The CHP urges everyone to plan a safe ride home before the parties begin. Calling a taxi or a sober friend or family member, using public transportation or the increasingly popular ridesharing services can be the difference between life or death.
The mission of the CHP is to provide the highest level of Safety, Service, and Security.
Faced with more instances of DUID, state and local officials are reiterating the message that “DUI Doesn’t Just Mean Booze.”
The message takes on increased importance as the state begins licensing commercial nonmedical cannabis sales on January 1, under provisions of Proposition 64, the Adult Use of Marijuana Act. Alcoholimpaired driving is still the most serious problem on our roadways, but the percentage of drivers in fatal collisions who have other impairing substances in their system keeps rising.
“It has taken more than 35 years to convince the vast majority of the public that driving under the influence of alcohol is dangerous, illegal and socially unacceptable,” said Rhonda Craft, Director of the Office of Traffic Safety. “With more dying on our roadways every day, we can’t afford to take that long when it comes to driving under the influence of prescription medications, marijuana, illicit drugs and even some over-the-counter medications.”
From 2005 to 2015, the percentage of drivers in fatal collisions who had an impairing drug other than alcohol in their system increased from 26.2 percent to 42.6 percent, according to statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. As far back as 2012, a roadside survey in California showed more drivers tested positive for drugs that may impair driving (14 percent) than did for alcohol (7.3 percent). Of the drugs, cannabis was most prevalent, at 7.4 percent, slightly more than alcohol.
In addition to alcohol or cannabis, a driver could be subject to a DUI arrest if they are under the influence of prescription medications like sleep aids, tranquilizers, barbiturates, opiates and other pain killers, antidepressants, and even overthe-counter allergy or cough medications when they impair your ability to drive a vehicle.
“Just like drunk driving, driving under the influence of drugs is not only dangerous, it is a crime,” Stanley said. “What caused the impairment does not matter. In short, “drive high, get a DUI.”
In the face of more drugimpaired drivers on the road, the CHP and local law enforcement are training more officers in Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement and Drug Recognition Evaluation. The advanced training augments the Standardized Field Sobriety Test to help identify what substances other than alcohol a driver may be impaired by.
Stanley and Director Craft note alternatives to driving impaired, including calling a taxi or a sober friend or family member, using public transportation, or ride-hailing services. If you see a driver who appears to be impaired, do not hesitate to call 9-1-1.
During December, the Office of Traffic Safety ran public awareness announcements concerning prescription medication DUI. Starting December 27 and running through January, the emphasis switches to one illustrating that no matter your age or your reasons for consuming cannabis, you should never drive while high.
The legalization of cannabis does not change the effect it has on the central nervous system. Driving under the influence of cannabis... remains illegal.”
Warren Stanley,
CHP Acting Commissioner