We know buzzed driving is drunk driving, but what about driving while drug-impaired? Nationally, it is illegal to drive while impaired by any substance, and this includes drugs. This Labor Day weekend, law enforcement in Monroe County are participating in the “If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI” impaired driving awareness campaign, which runs through Sept. 6.

In support of the law enforcement community’s dedication to protecting the lives of residents in their communities, you’ll see officers working together during this holiday weekend to take drug-impaired drivers off the roads. These expanded efforts to protect against impaired driving will be conducted in a fair and equitable way.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between 2009 and 2018, of those drivers killed in crashes and tested for marijuana, the presence of marijuana had nearly doubled. In 2018, 46% of drivers who were killed in crashes and were tested for drugs tested positive.

This is why it’s so important we spread this lifesaving message: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. It doesn’t matter what term you use: If a person is feeling a little high, buzzed, stoned, wasted or drunk, he or she should not get behind the wheel. Think driving while high won’t affect you? You’re wrong. It has been proven that THC can slow reaction times, impair cognitive performance and make it more difficult for drivers to keep a steady position in their lane.

“We want to support our community by keeping it safe from drug-impaired drivers,” said Detective Alexander Marek, Monroe County Detective & Monroe County Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program “The bottom line is that no matter what the substance is, if it has impaired you, you should not be driving. We want everyone to enjoy a safe and happy Labor Day. Please commit to yourself and your community members that you’ll drive sober over the holiday weekend, and every day.”

Monroe County Police and NHTSA are reminding people of the many resources available to get them home safely.

“Driving impaired is a choice,” Marek said. “Make the right choice and find a sober ride home if you’ve used an impairing substance. Let’s work together to end impaired driving.”

Violating Pennsylvania’s drug-impaired-driving laws can be costly.

Remember these safety tips as you prepare for the holiday, and spread the message to your friends and family members:

• If you have used an impairing substance such as marijuana, do not drive. Passengers should never ride with an impaired driver. If you think a driver may be impaired, do not get in the car.

• If you are planning to use drugs, plan ahead for a sober driver to safely drive you to your destination. Like drunk driving, it is essential that drug-impaired drivers refrain from driving a vehicle. It is never OK to drive while impaired by any substance.

• Do you have a friend who is about to drive while impaired by drugs? Take the keys away and arrange to get them home safely. Don’t worry about offending someone - they’ll thank you later.

• If available, use your community’s sober ride program or use UBER or LYFT

• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact 911.

For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/risky-driving/drug-impaired-driving.