Costume? Check. Candy stash? Check. Sober ride? Better double check!

This Halloween weekend, the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are teaming up to remind drivers about the deadly consequences of drug-impaired driving.

If you are under the influence of any drug, whether legally or illegally obtained, and you choose to get behind the wheel of a vehicle, you put everyone in danger, including yourself. This lifesaving message is: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

Like drunk driving, it is illegal nationwide to drive under the influence of drugs - no exceptions. Whether the drug is obtained legally or illegally, drug-impaired driving poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users. NHTSA is working closely with the Monroe County Office of the District Attorney to spread the word about the dangers of drug-impaired driving and to remind all drivers: If you are impaired by drugs and are thinking about driving, pass your keys on to a sober driver. The message is clear: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.

“Although Halloween falls on a Sunday this year, we’re certain to see extra parties throughout the weekend, and every single partygoer should plan their sober ride home in advance,” said Detective Alexander Marek, Monroe County Detective & Monroe County DUI Enforcement Coordinator for the North Central Regional DUI Enforcement Program “If you plan to use an impairing substance, you should plan for a sober ride home. Before you ever get behind the wheel of a vehicle, remember: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different.”

According to NHTSA, 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.

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.

“In some areas, certain drugs are legal, and certainly prescription and over-the-counter medications are legal,” said Detective Alexander Marek. “But we ask people to please, think twice before getting behind the wheel of a vehicle if you are taking any drug. There are many options available to drivers to help them get home safely if they are under the influence of any impairing substance,” Marek said.

Play It Safe

• 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’re 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 call Uber or Lyft.

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