He’s standing next to his backyard grill, endlessly pushing its electronic ignition button. Over and over he pushes it and nothing happens. He stares blankly at the button and then at his uncooked steak.
The man is apparently high on marijuana, and he’s the butt of the joke in one of Colorado’s new DUID (driving under the influence of drugs) campaign.
The ad notes that “grilling high is now legal,” but that driving while stoned is not.
The state is spending a million dollars on its “Drive High, Get a DUI” campaign to warn TV viewers that while recreational use of marijuana is legal for adults, it is intent on punishing those who drive while impaired by pot.
The chair of Colorado’s Interagency Task Force on Drunk Driving says law enforcement is an important element of cutting down on impaired driving, “but education is equally important.”
The State Patrol began tracking marijuana-related DUID arrests in January, when retail sales of pot began, and says it has so far arrested 31 pot-impaired drivers.
In Washington state, more than 1,300 drivers tested positive for marijuana in 2013, up nearly one fourth over 2012.
Law enforcement officials say there has been no surge in traffic accidents since the state legalized marijuana use.
Colorado’s “Drive High, Get a DUI” ad blitz begins today. A Spanish-language campaign is also set to launch.
A dispensary worker says the industry realizes it must be a part of the conversation about DUIDs. Owners have volunteered to hand out “Drive High, Get a DUI” brochures.
For those facing a DUID charge, an experienced attorney can help them pursue any of several legal options available that might lead to charge reduction or dismissal.
Source: SFgate.com, “Colorado launches campaign to stop stoned driving,” Kristen Wyatt, March 6, 2014