One of the biggest perceived fears of Proposition 64 is the prediction that California highways will be infested with wave after wave of drugged drivers. On Tuesday, the state of California officially launched a new ad campaign aimed at curbing drugged drivers.
The $1 million dollar campaign includes television and digital ads that portray the dangers associated with driving under the influence of marijuana. Marijuana combined with alcohol produces exceptionally dangerous effects. Officials from the California Highway Patrol, the state Office of Traffic Safety and the National Highway Safety Administration all warned about combining alcohol with marijuana and other drugs.
“In California, we know that 38 percent of the fatally injured drivers tested positive for drugs, with marijuana being the most prevalent,” Chris Murphy from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration told KCRA.
The ads focus on combating the normalization of marijuana in California. “But, did you know that smoking a joint can get you a DUI?” A character in one ad asked. A “DUI doesn’t just mean booze.” Watch the video here.
According to California Cannabis Industry Association Executive Director Nate Bradley, Proposition 64 allocates $4 million toward developing protocols to help law enforcement identify drugged drivers.
CHP Commissioner Joe Farrow admitted that law enforcement doesn't have a device that detects marijuana accurately. Assemblyman Tom Lackey(R-Palmdale) recently introduced a bill that would authorize the use of devices to test for drugged drivers on the road. “California cannot wait any longer to take meaningful action against drugged driving now that voters have passed Proposition 64,” warned Lackey. “Using new technology to identify and get stoned drivers off the road is something we need to embrace.”
A series of public service announcements have been scheduled for slots highlighting the dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana by itself and combined with alcohol.
