With active Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) found in the blood of drivers involved in 77 traffic fatalities in Colorado in 2016, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and 18 community groups and nonprofits launched a “drugged driving campaign” public education campaign on Thursday.
Titled “The Cannabis Conversation,” the campaign will first work to gauge public perceptions about driving while under the influence of marijuana to help identify solutions. Recent public campaigns have resulted in 90 percent of Coloradans being aware that it’s illegal to drive while high — but 50 percent of marijuana users still report consistently driving while high.
“As the first state to legalize recreational marijuana, everyone looks to Colorado for answers to drugged driving so we are trying something new and innovative,” Sam Cole, safety communications manager of CDOT, said. “The Cannabis Conversation is about hearing from many different voices on the topic of driving high and understanding how we can more effectively connect with people about the dangers of doing so.”
Coloradans will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey about their opinions and behaviors related to marijuana use and driving. Various events will also be scheduled in the coming months to gather in-person feedback that will be used to help understand motives for driving while high.
“Responsible consumption and reducing marijuana-impaired driving is a shared priority,” said Kristi Kelly, executive director of the Marijuana Industry Group, said. “We’re proud to play a part in this collaborative approach and look forward to learning from what Colorado has to say about this issue.”