After a variety of deadly vehicle accidents involving drivers testing optimistic for hashish throughout the pandemic in the USA, the Governors Freeway Security Affiliation (GHSA), Duty.org, and the Nationwide Alliance to Cease Impaired Driving (NASID) launched a new report that gives steerage on how State Freeway Security Places of work (SHSOs) can higher talk with hashish customers and advance site visitors security outreach.
Hashish Use Statistics And Security Drivers
Since leisure hashish turned authorized in some states, its use has elevated considerably. “In 2019, 18% of individuals aged 12 and older within the U.S. reported utilizing hashish prior to now yr, up from 11% in 2002,” in line with the GHSA.
As hashish turns into extra standard and the decision for federal legalization will increase, this can be very vital for drivers who use hashish to drive safely, therefore the necessity for efficient public outreach and training.
A survey by the AAA Basis for Site visitors Security discovered that “95% of individuals say driving above the authorized blood alcohol focus (BAC) restrict could be very or extraordinarily harmful, however solely 69% imagine driving is harmful throughout the first hour of utilizing hashish.”
In response to the NHTSA, hashish use is taking part in a rising position in highway site visitors deaths throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “33% of drivers concerned in deadly crashes had tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of their system, a major improve from 21% earlier than the pandemic,” indicated an NHTSA report.
“Hashish was barely extra prevalent than alcohol in drivers concerned in deadly crashes (33% for hashish vs. 29% for alcohol) throughout the pandemic,” the NHTSA report continued “Multi-substance impairment has additionally elevated in recent times, with 25% of drivers in deadly crashes testing optimistic for multiple dangerous substance, up from 18% earlier than the pandemic.”
Hashish Customers And Protected Driving: Pointers For Accountable Use
Some individuals assume that utilizing hashish improves their driving. Nevertheless, analysis confirms that “hashish might immediately have an effect on the components of the mind accountable for consideration, decision-making, coordination, and response time, that are important for secure driving.” That is the place the brand new report appears to make clear the image a bit.
“As authorized hashish use turns into extra widespread within the U.S., motorists must know the risks of driving below the affect,” mentioned GHSA govt director Jonathan Adkins. “However that message received’t be heard if it’s outdated, irrelevant, or insulting to hashish customers. This new report gives a playbook to assist states develop messaging that resonates with hashish customers and prompts them to chorus from driving for their very own security and the protection of everybody else on the highway.”
The brand new report, “Hashish Customers and Protected Driving: Messages of Accountable Use,” highlights how Colorado and Washington, the primary states to legalize hashish, in addition to Connecticut and Wyoming, realized from outreach efforts.
It additionally discusses promising practices that each one SHSOs ought to think about using to create the best messages, and gives the next suggestions:
- Encourage devoted funding for site visitors security applications derived from a portion of hashish gross sales tax income in order that states and their companions can ship well timed and related data to the general public.
- Type partnerships with the hashish business, which will help states achieve insights into shopper motivations and behaviors, develop and ship impactful messaging, and legitimize security efforts.
- Enlist trusted advisors to function messengers. Have individuals and establishments that hashish customers belief – reasonably than authorities representatives – convey factual secure driving messages. Various and non-traditional messengers can enhance message reception with hashish customers.
- Use language that resonates with hashish customers, so that they hear the secure driving message as a substitute of tuning it out as a result of it has outdated terminology. Keep away from utilizing unflattering or alienating stereotypes of hashish customers.
“Impaired driving, whether or not it entails alcohol, hashish, different medicine, or a mix of gear, is wreaking havoc on our nation’s roads, and all of us should reply shortly and successfully,” mentioned Darrin Grondel, Ed.D., VP of Authorities Relations and Site visitors Security for Duty.org and director of NASID.
“The messages, methods, information, and approaches recognized on this new report will make that response simpler in positively altering hashish shopper conduct to the good thing about each American on our nation’s roadways.”
Final week, the findings and proposals of the report have been mentioned throughout a session on the 2022 NASID Convention, in Washington, DC, that includes Karen Sprattler of the Sprattler Group, who researched and wrote the report.
Lastly, the NASID website options an interactive, on-line database up to date in real-time that lets customers simply see hashish and DUI legal guidelines throughout the U.S.
Photograph: Courtesy Of Andras Vas On Unsplash